Sisters, yours and mine

[JennGruden]

My sister is younger than I am. She's also more successful in her career (not that I would trade in a minute!!!), richer, thinner, and better looking... but I love her anyway. We've never exactly been "best friends" but we're definitely loving sisters. And I find as we get older that the differences seem less important It's just really nice to have that connection, even if sometimes - some YEARS, really - we forget to nurture it.

What are your experiences with siblings? Do you have any special ways to stay connected with them, near and far?

[jayo]

My sister is 8 yrs older than me. At this point she lives in a special care unit in a retirement home - she has Alzheimer's disease. She doesn't know me anymore. I wish I had been more patient and understanding over the years. She took care of me during our younger years - bought me clothes I couldn't afford. I wish I had been nicer and more loving towards her.

[kathleen]

I have 2 sisters both younger and both with succesful husbands - I'm divorced and working hard at a job I love for little money. But I've spent time with both girls this summer and my conclusions are: I love them both very much and wish them all the best but I feel that I am happier than I have ever been and wouldn't want to trade lives with either of them. I am doing what I want and I have no one to cater to, worry about or consider. My sisters are there for me when I need a shoulder to cry on, a cheer for a job well done or a good laugh. Long live sisters!!!

[vicky]

My sister is almost ten years older than I am. She was out of the house by the time I was eight years old. It has only been the last ten years that we have become close, ironically it was after she moved across the country. We talk on the phone all the time and are right now planning a birthday party for out Dad in November. The difference between 15 and 25 is huge. The difference between 25 and 35 is smaller, but the difference between 40 and 50 is nothing. I am very grateful to have gotten to know her as much more than my bossy older sister. Of course, she still goes there but I just laugh and ask, "And who told you what to do when you were 41?" She laughs. We both know the answer to that!

[Shebel]

I have three sisters, but only keep in contact with one. Sad, but true. Our family has drifted apart, and unfortunately, I can never see it going back to the way it was.

The sister I do speak to, I talk to her 4 or 5 times a week. She is 9 years younger, had three kids and a great husband. Myself..........I am single, no kids, no husband............and in spite of all of our differences, we can still see eye to eye on most issues, and if we don't...........not a big deal. We all have our own personalities for a reason, right?

There is a saying.........."We can't choose our family, but we can choose our friends". I love knowing that even if my sister weren't my sister, she'd still be a best friend.

[Sami]

I have one sister, 14 months younger than me and we have always had a difficult relationship. Our personalities and interests are very different. About 2 years ago, when we were both facing huge challenges in our lives, we had a falling out and things are still not moving in a more positive direction. I find her moods and feelings very volatile, which means I never know who the person on the other end of the phone really is or if she is talking to me this week. Unfortunately, lately I feel like giving up on her altogether... YUK! The relationship between sisters always seem to be so complex...

[lathomas]

I am the youngest of 3 sisters (and 1 brother) - I can't imagine my life without them. I am closer to one sister than the other - my oldest sister is 8 years older than me, she was more like a second Mom when we were growing up (her name was my "first" word!).
I live 15 minutes away from one sister (3 years older than me) and a 1 hour flight from my other sister - but we stay in touch via phone and e-mail. My one sister and I (closest in age) had the typical sister fights (borrowing clothes, dating etc.) when we were growing up, but now we are very close. As I'm the "baby" (at 46!) they are still rather protective of me - they don't see it, but I do!

I love my sisters and really enjoy spending time with them. My sister that lives near me is my best friend and we are always very supportive of each other. We have a very close family and when we all get together my father and brother tend to leave the room as my sisters, my Mom and I are rather noisy!

I am very blessed to have the family I have !

[c6309]

My sisiter & I are 5 years apart - I'm the eldest. She was always better looking, more assertive ( I put that down to birth order?!) & was able to stand up for herself. Over the years we have drifted, but when our Dad passed 7 years ago I was amazed at the way it affected us. We all had to stop & think about family & where we were going from there & decided to pull together -of course to help our Mom & inadvertently ourselves.

My sister is my friend, she is brave, beautiful & thankfully I have learned over the years that to acknowledge that in her does make me less in any way. As many of the women commenting here have said, as we get older the less the years mean & the differences mean maybe we talk more & discuss stuff. If I resent anything - it's simply the fact that we don't connect as often as I would like & that's mine to own & to make a difference in. I love her dearly & wouldn't change a thing - she is a blessing to me & my family.

[JennGruden]

These are all such great stories. My sister and I won't be getting together this Thanksgiving but I think I might share this with her in lieu of turkey.

[Hazel]

My sister is 5 years older than I, and although we shared a bed all while growing up, we didn't seem to share much else besides a loathing for each other. Fortunately the day she left for college I realized I didn't enjoy sleeping alone as much as I thought. From that point on, we lived through our parents divorce, marriages, breakups, childbirth, etc. and I think of her as my best friend. If more than 3 days go by without talking to her I feel like something's out of place. We're in 2 different provinces, but through the miles we know the other is always there to cry to, laugh with, and share. I think it's time to give her a call...it's been more than 3 days now.