Today my sister turns 64! 64 years old. My eldest sister.
Making me think about the years that have flown by. The bridges we have
crossed as sisters. The matriarch of my family, my direct family. How can she
be 64 already? That means we are mature women, nearing the end of our life
cycle. The Krone stage as it used to be called. Meaning in 14 years I will be
her age and she in her late 70s. Wow amazing how quickly the cycles of life
come and go.
As I look back over time, I think of the varying stages of
our relationship. In my early years how I used to admire her and wanted to be
just like her. She and my older sister just seemed so cool. They had the best
clothes. They drove fancy cars. Had great parties. Lots of cool friends. They
seemed like women of the world to my small girlhood world. Because they were so
much older than me, I always had stars in my eyes when I looked at them and
their lives.
Then our mother died and my sister stepped in as there was
no one else for us. The first one on the scene when my dad realized my mom was
in trouble. The one who remained when she was gone. Giving up her life so we
could have one. She tried her best to hold us together. Always encouraged me to
be the best I could be just by being there and rewarding me with trips whenever
I placed in the top three at school. Little did she know just how much of an
effect she had on my life by showing me that she was interested in me.
Little did I know at the time just how much of an influence
she was having on my life. By taking me with her. Opening my eyes to the wider
world. Giving me wings to see there was much more beyond the tiny confines of
my 21 mile square island home. Waiting just for me. Allowing me to understand
there was really a big wide world out there beyond the ocean’s horizon that was
waiting for me. Beckoning me. Calling my name.
I think of those teenage years when I was dark and moody and
felt like Cinderella and how truly my sister felt like my fairy godmother on
many occasions by all that she gave to me even when she could no longer bear to
be in our same household, she never lost touch with me. Always coming back for
me. To rescue me from the doldrums I could have easily fallen into and letting
me know there was so much more for me.
And now we are adults. Sister friend women who though we are
very different share a very special bond that holds us together regardless of
where our life paths may take us. She has walked this earth for 64 years and in
those years has been a support for many people. Has a heart of gold even though
she maintains a tough exterior, I know she would do and give anyone anything
even if it means she would have to go without herself. That’s just the kind of
woman she is and today I acknowledge my big sister for helping to mold me into
the woman I am today. Without her I would not have been able to see beyond the confines
of my physical trappings. I would not have been able to see the vastness of the
world that existed just for me.
By investing in my future, my sister helped me to know in order for a child to flourish, we must invest in his future to allow her to see the vastness of the world that awaits him as I do for my children now. Even if it means I have to do without as did she. My sister taught me an invaluable lesson, the cycles of life continue as we give back to make way for the future.
So I am wishing my big sister, Patricia Butterfield, the
best birthday wishes today with love and gratitude, honour and respect. Namaste
my sister.
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