The Sisterness of Isolation

My sister closed on a new house yesterday... should be cause for celebration of some sort, even in light of the family events recently. Good news would be a welcome break. But there is no celebration... no discussion... not even a notification of the address.

Many of my sisters have made comments over the years that they feel isolated from the others. Yet we have been part of the same sisterhood since our birth. We are from the same mother and father... we are connected! Our memories from childhood are interrelated. I recall when each of the younger ones came home from the hospital. The excitement from the rest of us was true and pure love.

When we get together it is the composite of memories.... one remembers one part, another has another part, and together it is made whole.

And yet, we had been able to laugh and find humor in our everyday sisterness.... "Yams Flambee amd the proper techniques of firefighting" "Let me put away the spaghetti in a baggie" "The calendar by the phone of our little babysitting business" "Mom's Mercury Comet when she didn't have a driver's license" "Knock-Knock.... Goodbye have a nice day!" "Counting off for milk"

There really is no Isolation in Sisterness... because we ARE sisters!

My heart aches and breaks... and tears come... and my heart breaks again. I see the pictures of "the sisters" and dad, or "the sisters" and mom, or "the sisters" and others. Are we still "the sisters" with one missing? Three weeks and still...

I called my sister, Kay, this afternoon... almost felt like I needed an excuse to call. But, the truth is I wanted to feel connected to something ... I was trying to see if the other sisters were as broken as I am. If they too were fine and then "not so fine"... and then shattered ...

I talked to my dad this afternoon, too. He wasn't feeling well, but he did take a minute to talk and ask how things were in Arkansas. Our call was concluded as quickly as it began.

I have called Michael Sampl a few times ... sometimes not much conversation between us... just tears. I am so glad Joanne "loved him best".