To Sisters

Well, both my sisters are funny. I had no idea my little sister Teresa had a blog - I was reading one of her old blogs and happened across her new blog. I was reading a post there that was making me smile at how very Teresa-esque it was - and by that I mean complex, thoughtful, well-written and irreverent and funny - and I had to stop to blog about it because Teresa is funny, and Teresa is witty, and I love Teresa very much. She can make me laugh like very few people can. And she and her new husband just bought a pink Vespa. So she is funny, witty, and drives a pink Vespa. The woman has everything!

And I love you, too, Jen. Who else would come over and play Guitar Hero for three hours just to unlock the four bonus songs? That is love. Oh, and you are smart and witty and funny and irreverent, too.

Here's to sisters:

If your sister is in a tearing hurry to go out and cannot catch your eye, she's wearing your best sweater. ~Pam Brown

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. ~Author Unknown

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago - the baby, the peacekeeper, the caretaker, the avoider.... It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled. ~Jane Mersky Leder

Sisters annoy, interfere, criticize. Indulge in monumental sulks, in huffs, in snide remarks. Borrow. Break. Monopolize the bathroom. Are always underfoot. But if catastrophe should strike, sisters are there. Defending you against all comers. ~Pam Brown

Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling. ~Pam Brown

It's hard to be responsible, adult and sensible all the time. How good it is to have a sister whose heart is as young as your own. ~Pam Brown

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~Barbara Alpert