Friendship and Other Gifts……...

 Sometimes the journey seems overwhelming. We start out on what we think is  cruise ship and then mid cruise we realize the journey of life is actually a work ship full of gale force winds and turbulent waters with calm waters only occasionally. Don't get me wrong it is still a ship and therefore inherently amazing and wonderful! But the journey itself can be daunting. Yet it is the shipmates that we encounter that make the ups and downs of the ship bearable. I speak of our life journey and the "sisterhood" that accompanies it. My "spirit" sister had not so great news today and that is there is a possibility of  the diminishing of her husband's health substantially with an unclear end to this health issue. Another is dealing with the emotional demise of her spouse. An unknown sister (to me) is dealing with the suicide of her 15 year old over the weekend.  Another is dealing with hidden poverty. One sister I know is dealing with a type of abuse that can not be undone for the moment. There are many journeys that we all take and it is peppered with times of greatness and times of despair. There is a well known saying in my part of the world "I never said it would be easy, I just said it would be worth it!"  It is the sisterhood that we are given as companionship in this journey that is an amazing gift. It is the sister who brings over fresh baked rolls just because, the sister that trust you enough to share her deepest pain, it is the sister who buoys you up with just a sweet note of encouragement on facebook, it is the sister that waves to you every time she sees you, it is the one who knows your sick when no one else knows or notices, it is the sister  your willing to sit out on the front porch shoeless with crickets cricketing, wind blowing, dogs howling but you want that uninterrupted time with them. It is the sister that calls you "dear" while talking to you or the sister that becomes granny to your children even if she is unrelated.  It is the sister who calls  you from China because she got that "vibe" you needed her. It is the sister who will go to bat for you even when they aren't in the"game". It is the sister from Aussie who loves you even when you hardly see each other or the sister who is 9 months pregnant and lets' just YOU touch her sweet belly! It is the sister that gives you one of her twins to take at functions without blanching or the sister that brings over wonderful leftovers because just because she knows you love her food!! It is the sister you barely know but you are best friends on facebook or the one that is a Massage Therapist who gives you the best massage for free! It is a hard journey at times but boy am I glad I have sisters as my shipmates! Here's hoping I can go and do for you!!!