For the Love of Sisters

When I see Gracie and Annelie playing together, I cannot help but smile.

I never had a sister, just a big brother who tortured me and teased me and did all the rotten things that big brothers do. When I knew I was having another girl, I couldn't help but cry. I was so happy that Gracie would have a sweet little sister to love and cherish, to share toys with and play dress up with, have tea parties with and play soccer with. And I was so happy that little Annelie would have an adoring big sister who never teased and never tortured and never did the rotten things big brothers do...

Who was I kidding?

Gracie loves her little sister. She especially loves to take away her toys, pour water on her head, steal her snacks, and wake her up when she is sleeping.

And of course, dump enormous quantities of sand on her head.

Enormous quantities.

Lucky for me, Gracie also loves to take baths with her sister.

And luckier still, Annelie is very, very forgiving, quick to get over things, and always up for a bath with her big sister.

I had friends back in school who despised their sisters. They fought like cats, stole each other's clothes, and sabotaged each other's dates.

I also had friends whose sisters were their best friends. They played sports with each other, went to the mall with each other, and always watched each others backs.

I'm hoping that by the time Annelie is old enough to stick up for herself, Gracie will have outgrown the torture game. And I'm holding my breath that they will one day fall into the latter category -- love, respect, and most of all be best friends with each other.

Sisters

When Nan and I were little
we sometimes used to fight:
she'd read my secret diary
and I would scratch and bite.

If she pulled up the window shade
I would want it down;
if she wore short pajamas
I'd wear a long nightgown.

But then we learned it's better
to have a sister-friend,
someone beside you in the dark,
someone to hold your hand.

Now we're glad my hair is long
and hers is short and curled.
The difference doesn't matter:
we're two against the world.

by Ruth Whitman

In the meantime, I know I have a lot of work ahead of me!

Funny how the bathtub has more sand than the sandbox ever did! Of course, besides cleaning up messy, tortured little sisters, I also have to clean the bathtub. Thanks, Gracie.