Sisters

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." ~Clara Ortega

"A sibling may be the keeper of one's identity, the only person with the keys to one's unfettered, more fundamental self."

~Marian Sandmaier

Sisters.

I am an only child, and have never known the joy of sharing life with a sibling. Some of my best friends while growing up had siblings, and they always told me that I shouldn't complain. They didn't see how being an only child could be so bad.

And I definitely had some advantages. No one to share my toys with. No one to argue with. No one to share my parents' affection.

But I always saw it from the opposite perspective. I had no one to share my toys with. No one to argue with. No one to share my mom's affection with.

This is why I am so glad that Becca has a sister. I would give her 10 more siblings, if time, money, and husband allowed.

My childhood was very lonely, and there wasn't a day where I didn't wish that I had someone to share it with me.

Becca has that. Allie has that. And I am eternally grateful to the Lord for allowing me to give such a wonderful gift to Becca.

When Allie was first born, Becca was pretty skeptical of this new little person in our family. If this gives you any insight to her reaction, she never used to be a good napper. She'd sleep for about 45 minutes, then wake up crying. The day we brought Allie home (and then on), she will stay quietly in her room until we come get her. I think she likes her 'alone' time.

Now that Allie has mastered crawling, she is always close behind Becca. And, even though she wouldn't admit it if you asked her, I know that Becca loves this. She loves that someone looks up to her, and wants to know what she's doing. She loves that someone is interested in her, and not preoccupied with the busyness of life. She loves that someone else knows her in a way that few people do (even though she may not understand this yet.)

Becca is already fiercely protective of her sister. If anyone else takes away Allie's toys, or hurts Allie, Becca is the first one to rush to her defense.

My prayer is that they are friends. More than friends. Sisters. Sisters who can depend on each other...understand each other...know each other. Maybe it's because I haven't been there, and my perception is idyllic, but I think that this is possible. I know that I can't force it on them. There is a possibility that they won't like each other.

But my prayer is that they do. That they see each other for the gift that they are. A sister.

Because I think that this is one of the best gifts that I can give them.