My Sisters

Spending a few days with my sisters last week and writing about it in my blog, reminded me of this tribute to my sisters that I wrote about 15 years ago.

Behind me in church sat Gayle.  She leaned up and whispered, "I never get to see you now that I don't come visiting teaching anymore."  "Isn't it the truth," I answered. "It's just like we're in different worlds now.  Maybe that's why we have families.  Families are like a permanent visiting teaching assignment."

I expounded on this as I walked home.  I thought how families keep in touch even when we're not in the same ward.  In fact, no matter how far away we live from each other, we share all of life's most significant events: births, deaths, blessings, baptisms, marriages, graduations, performances.  We might lose track of our best friend in high school but a sister-in-law we may never have known as a child becomes an important and significant part of our lives.  We travel long distances to see them.  We watch each other's children grow up; we know when the grandchildren come.  We share Christmases and Thanksgivings and Easter Egg hunts as well as camping trips and family reunions.  We remember each other's birthdays.  We call; we write; we keep in touch.  We care for each other.  We are concerned, elated and feel blessed for the relationship.  It's not just the joyful times either.  In times of sickness, sorrow, heartache, and disappointment, our family is there.  And the nicest thing about it is, the older you get the more the association with family means.

To elaborate further, Mothers are the ultimate Visiting Teacher.  In the beginning it's a 24-hour a day calling.  When the physical care diminishes, lasting values are taught; and when we are at last on our own, we find we still need our mothers. 

Since Mama died; we have had to mother each other.  And Mama was a hard act to follow. 

However, I felt the impact of this when Shirley, who lives 300 miles away, showed up at my door after we heard the devastating news that Brent had an incurable kidney disease.  It was Eddy's birthday time and I felt like I couldn't cope with the celebration he anticipated.  

Five years later when Brent was able to go on his mission, all of my sisters were here including Lucy with her trusty tape recorder that we have found so valuable in collecting Mama’s history.

Jeanne had high expectations for her wedding reception; and being somewhat cooking impaired, I was dubious.  I could plan the menu but it took my sisters with taste buds to carry it out.  Verla stayed up all night making rumaki and Shirley came in time to put the right flavor in all the sandwich spreads.  

I love my permanent visiting teachers!  Not only weddings but missionary open houses found my devoted sisters in the kitchen.  Carol never left until every dish was done.  She also helped out when all the babies were born. 

I have more people point out how lucky I am to have sisters than I can count. 

My sisters, my mother, my friends (to paraphrase Jeanne “My brother; my enemy; my friend,” given at Brent’s farewell.)