My sister and I are 4-1/2 years apart—two very different women, yet two very similar hearts. When we were young, I looked up to my sister and wanted to be just like her. In the 70’s, she had long straight hair, wore the normal 70’s attire (our favorite being the Angel sleeve blouse), and smoked. I know what you’re thinking, smoking isn’t cool. But it was…back then it was cool. Because we had one car in the family, my sister bought her own car when she got her license, a Ford Pinto, and it skyrocketed her coolness.
As time went on my admiration toward her faded and life seemed to be all about me. I was caught up in the moment of high school, partying, and going out. Our relationship went into hibernation while I tried to keep up with adolescence and my sister concentrated on a career. She finally decided to become a bloodsucker—Phlebotomist. This opened up many other opportunities for her. Even though she moved out of the house, we still found moments to fight…but we are sisters…and that’s what some sisters do.
As different as my sister and I are, we still always have an emotional connection and understanding. We don’t always agree, and fight hard about our decisions, but I would go to the ends of the earth to protect my sister, and I know she would do the same.
Now our lives are going in different directions. We are dealing with an abundance of change in a short period of time. Change is good. Change offers new opportunities, but change can also be a lonely companion. My sister and I are still struggling with the death of our mother, who passed in December. Over the past few months we have worked on settling my mom’s estate, dividing up her things, dealing with finances, and putting her condo on the market. Each step has been another good-bye.
Yesterday I wished my sister well as she starts a new life out West. She is looking for a job while she stays with our father with high hopes that it works out and she finds happiness. We cried and she said we will see each other soon. I wonder when since the plan for me is to live overseas for a few years with the same hope—that it works out and I have a life of happiness. These are big changes for both with sadness still looming within us. We lost our mother, and in a different way, I feel like I have lost my sister. Geographically speaking, we will be in opposite directions, and the family life we grew accustom to is gone. The light has been shut off on that part of our lives.
So here begins a tale of two sisters about to embark on tales of two cities. I wish my sister well and I know my mom will guide us both to where we need to be. Good-bye, Sesute. May our travels lead us back together again very soon.
Sisters and New Beginnings,Bea
