Family Friends

I've extolled the virtues of women friends here before - the incredulous state that having so many of them has left me in when I think about it. I haven't shared about my female familial friendships, however, and after this past weekend, it seemed to me that I should.

My own sister was my best girl friend for years and years. We drifted apart for awhile, but are slowly finding our way back to each other. We both have changed over the years and we both are in totally different places in our life, but we will always have a sister bond that ties our hearts. It doesn't matter how many miles or years seem to come between either. She probably knows more about me than anyone except for my husband and I know if I ever needed anything, my sister would move a mountain to get it to me. We are family, through & through, and no one could ever break that bond.

My husband's sister is my "sistah from another mistah". Yes, that is what I call her. She can make me LAUGH. And when I say laugh, I mean huge belly laughs that come from your toes. The kind that tears stream down your face and your abs feel like you've done at least 200 crunches or the kind that make you spew hot coffee onto your computer screen. We text each other almost every single day and I can say that she is definitely the Thelma to my Louise. We have shared so much in the last 23+ years...tears, laughter, anger....we've definitely run the gamut of emotions with each other and yet, there is no one else I'd rather have riding shotgun. "Hold on to your hats, boys!" will always be a phrase that makes me think of her and the good times we've had with our, now, big boys.

My younger brother-in-law's wife and I haven't always had the most comfortable relationship, but with baby steps we find it easier to love & trust each other. Our children are certainly what ties us to each other. Their four and our youngest four share birthdays no more than 2 1/2 months apart - two having birthdays only 5 days apart. I have often remarked that our children continually show us the way to treat each other as they all have a strong bond between them from the 11 year olds down to the 3 year olds. Despite rocky times, we've shared many laughs and tears and I am blessed to call her my sister. I look forward to our journey together and believe that the rockiest of times are behind us.

My elder brother-in-law's wife is a relative newcomer to the family. She and I shared an instant bond for our childhoods were very common, but even more than that, we are the same age - not even a month between us. We share the bond of growing up with dysfunction & alcoholism. We share the bond of "control" which often gives us a good laugh (not us!?). It is almost as if we "mirror" each other on some level - seeing in each other the goodness & lovable parts that we can't or refuse to see in ourselves. She and I can talk deep or we can be silly school girls. The nicest thing is that it doesn't matter how many months flow between meet ups. We just seem to pick up where we left off and continue our journey together.

My mother in law - the rock & center of our family. She has over the course of 23+ years become my other mom. I love her, respect her and would do just about anything if I knew it would make her happy. She is strong yet tender - wise yet graceful and she gave me the most amazing gift which is my husband. Over the years I have found her ears are great for listening, her shoulder is good for a cry and most of all, her heart is always with her family which I am blessed to be part of. She also makes one helluva birth attendant and was in the delivery room for the last 3 out of 6 births. The thankfulness that I feel in having such a wonderful relationship with her is beyond any words known to mankind.

Add these family members to my already wonderful group of girlfriends and you can see just how blessed I am. How after almost 40 years, I am learning that girlfriends, do indeed, matter.