Look at those faces. Both of these darling girls have nurtured their smiles over the years. They have become older, wiser, a little wrinkled, (OK a lot wrinkled in my case.) at times challenged or filled with joy. Just Ike our mother, my sister and I have inherited the gift of laughter. Every time we get together, it’s as if we’ve never been apart. She and her husband arrived yesterday from Nashville, TN after two days of driving. The anticipation of their arrival grew as the day went on. All I could think of was the last time we visited them at their home, and it made me more eager to see them. The minute they arrived; the laugh attack commenced.

As I think back to our growing up years, I remember the days of sharing a double bed with her. I recall taking the sheets off the bed and using them as evening gowns and parading on top of the bed as if we were in a beauty pageant. She always won, but I’m not bitter about it. There was almost a five-year gap between us. For the first five years, I was queen of the roost, and nothing was going to interfere with the pecking order. Not even the fact that we were related. I gave her a hard time all those years ago. Thankfully, we became best friends as we each left the nest and ventured into our own realms.

Years have changed us, but we still love to laugh. A little Chardonnay helps, but it definitely is not necessary. Our husbands are going through health issues right now that are life changing, but they have the same tendency that we do. In the face of adversity, laughter is always good medicine. Our visits are usually short. I don’t think we could handle more than a couple of days. When you get older, laughter can lead to all kinds of physical issues which often create additional problems. Still, there is something very therapeutic about a good belly laugh, guffaw or chuckle. Today there will be more as we add a couple of our grown children to the mix.

There is something wonderful about family. They can lift you when you’re down. They can encourage you when you think nothing will. They can empathize with you when you have similar things going on in life. They can laugh at your senseless jokes. We can’t choose those who become our siblings, but if I had a choice, it would be her all over again.

A sister is a person you can love with all your might,

She’ll do most anything for you.  You trust her with your life.

The best true friend you’ll ever have, she’ll never let you down.

She’ll have your back when others won’t and take away your frown.

A sister loves forever.  Her limits have no end –

A confidante – a mentor – a model and a friend.

Kathy Boecher©