Sisters: Never take them for granted.
That is what my Mom and Dad would tell me during life's hard times. They raised me and my sisters to see the glass, as they say, half full and not half empty. They raised us to find the good in people and that every story has two sides. When growing up, if my sisters and I were at odds my parents would tell us to reach out to each other and mend. "Be kind," they would say. "Think about their feelings, too."
So one of us would reach out to the other or others and we would patch things up...until the next time. And there always was a next time, because that's just sisters.
My parents' words really sunk in after my Dad died unexpectedly many years ago. Getting that horrible call from my sister at the hospital...there was no time to tell Dad I loved him, goodbye, or so many other things.
Over the years, both my parents have passed. During this holiday season when family and friends get together (or don't at this time), I'm really missing my parents, my sisters, and my sons and their families. I thank goodness for the really fun times we sisters had, and am thankful for phone chats (yes, to my sisters). As I think of all the warmth and kindness we still share, I smile...I laugh... With my sisters far away in another state, I've learned that my close female friends here have become what I call my "Southern Sisters".
On her phone voicemail, my one sister always says "Take some time out to be kind to yourself and be kind to others". She has had this same message for years, and to this day hearing her say that is so comforting.
I know that for many, this is a very tough time, staying physically apart to keep each other safe. So I remember the wise words that I can still hear my parents say, as if they're whispering in my ear:
If you reach out to those you love, EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT
