our words

I thought I would take some time to reminisce over our blog, as you two enjoy each others' company (cough*dontforgetme*cough).

A Wordle is a little piece of art that takes the words from a website and makes them into a little friendly family.

This, my dears, is our sisters away wordle.   

I love that beautiful is front and center in our conversations.  It says so much.

Last Day

Today was the last day of class at CALLS, the local school where I've been spending my time.  It is now summer vacation.  I'm going to miss seeing these girls every week.  But they promised we would go to the beach and do summery things.

Can't you tell they are the best of friends?  They are so funny to watch; they know each other so well, when one is in a bad mood, the other doesn't give them special treatment, they push each other.  And that is why they are more than friends. 

Sisterhood on the other side of the world is strong - all is very well.

Do you see what I see?

There's a reason why that is one of my least favorite Christmas Carols...

Kate, I hope you like what Em and I have done to our space. It has taken so many IM conversations with lots of frustrated emoticons in the process. When I thought I was seeing a lovely indigo for a link color, Em thought it was a really bright purple. When she thought she was looking at a soft coral as a background color, I saw bright reddish orange. Either we both have issues with processing colors, our computers are a tad off, or things just look different in other countries.

All jokes aside, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the three of us have worked together on making this look the way we all want it to look. We have gracefully heard each other's concerns, taken them to heart and implemented the suggestions we've given each other without getting our feelings hurt. My, how we're grown up!

It only solidifies my hope that someday we can find a way to start some kind of small business together. What business? How should I know! But when the time is right and the opportunity presents itself, I'm there. Here's to working with you, ladies!

The Shortest of Updates

after a late night last night (and a lot of help from my wonderful hubby!) I am thisclose to having the kitchen completely unpacked and it feels awesome.

today is a super busy day at work and I really shouldn't be stealing two minutes to post here

even though we got to talk together the other night I was so distracted (and exausted) from the craziness that I still feel like it's been forever since I really got to talk with you both.

I miss you both lots and can't wait to see you both on Skype sometime soon. This weekend should be my first opportunity in a long time to slow down and do some real catching up.

I will be looking for you both online!!!

hugs and kisses from Iowa :-)

Where to begin...

Technically, it all began in Wisconsin. In a city called LaCrosse, where we were all born and first became sisters.

Then came Lexington, Kentucky... St. Louis, Missouri... Henderson, Kentucky... and the first goodbye when Sara left for college back in Lexington. I remember feeling so caught off guard when the time finally came for her to leave. It was as if I suddenly realized how much I loved her and felt like I had wasted so much time that could have been spent with her, but now it was too late. In a small way, it was a wake-up call for Emily and I... it must have been a very small way, because we still managed to drive each other pretty crazy until three years later when Mom, Dad, and Emily left for Indianapolis, Indiana and I went of to college in Chicago.

Since then I've gone from Chicago, back to St. Louis, and now to Glenwood, Iowa. Sara has stayed in Lexington, and Emily went from high school in Indy to college in Hanover, Indiana, back to Indianapolis, and now Dominica. Oh my.

Over the past 10 years I have had many conversations with mothers of daughters who are driving each other (and their mother) crazy as well as with young sisters who feel as though their sister was uniquely designed to make their life harder. I have told these mothers and daughters the same thing, "Don't worry. Things will change. My sisters and I drove each other crazy until we stopped living in the same house together, now we are best friends with each other and talk all the time, even though we all live in different states." The mothers would usually smile and say something like, "That's wonderful." or "I sure hope my daughters get to that point some day." The sisters usually say, "Yeah, right." and look at me like my sisters and I must be freaks or something to actually get along with each other.

I think that through it all, the part of our sisterhood that has meant the most to me is that while the three of us each have slightly different relationships with each other, as a threesome, we are so tightly knit. I love knowing that if I haven't talked to Emily for a while, Sara can probably fill me in on what's been going on with her, or vice-verse. No matter how busy life gets or how long it's been between phone calls, I know that my sisters are there - however many miles away - thinking of me, supporting me, encouraging me, and waiting patiently (for the most part) to catch up whenever the chance arrives.

And now, with the arrival of "Sisters Away", we have one more way to keep in touch and shorten the distance between us. Another new beginning... just what we do best. :-)

Just Another Place

Though we have been apart for many years, starting in 2001 when Kate went to college, Sara stayed in Kentucky, and I moved to Indiana, the reality of the separation between us has set in. Perhaps it is the presence of babies or the maturing of our sisterhood, but I believe we have only grown closer over these years.

And now we created a sweet homage to our separation. On the days we cannot call or skype, we have a space to say hello – I miss you – I love you – I’ve had a terrible day – I’m so proud of you – I made an amazing meal today – I burned the pancakes again – I thought of a new craft – I feel blessed today.

A space that says: “if I lived right next to you, I would tell you this at the end of my day”.

And what a shame we are only now starting this diary. If we could look back on all our trips, our gatherings, our events – we would find the most amazing story. A story that would kick Little Woman’s butt.

We’ve been blessed with such a full life together. From sharing rooms as children – moving to new cities, in which we were each others’ only ally – visiting each other in college – protecting each other from first boyfriends – standing next to each other in our weddings – cheering with each other as we conquer our careers, children, and craft.

I am so thankful we will now have a record of this journey. Between Glenwood, Lexington, and Dominica – we have 10,000 miles between us. I am determined to not feel a single one.

One week and counting

Well Ladies, it has officially been one week since Emily arrived in Dominica, solidifying that this is the farthest apart we have ever been from one another. After months of preparing for this stretch of time that would undoubtedly be difficult, here we are. How do you feel?

OK, I'll start. ;)

When I allow my emotions to take over, I feel devastated. How did we turn into the kind of family that lives so far away, that only gets to see each other on special occasions or holidays? I suppose somewhere deep down I always knew our kids wouldn't grow up down the street from each other. Before I had Addie I never thought that was something I would want. I will confess to you here, in the safety of this space that now, I can't think of anything I want more.

I want our kids to count their cousins among their closest friends. I want them to know their aunts and uncles and count you as their second mommies. My biggest fantasy is that any night of the week I could tuck my babies into bed, give Curt a big old kiss as he settles in to watch his favorite show, grab a bottle of wine, throw on my slippers and trot a few doors down to crash on one of your couches and chat the night away.

Alas, that is not our reality.

When I supress my hormone saturated emotions and allow my brain to logically sort through our situation, I am proud of us. We have followed the paths that God laid out for us. We refused to be frozen by the fear of independence and we branched out, reached out, soared into uncharted territory... We have grown up. Somehow, miraculously through the greatest grace of God, we grew up, but not apart.

Now we find ourselves with incredible husbands and fufilling lives in completely different places... Geographically and in many other ways as well. Still, even though we boast a variety of political convictions, artistic talents, hopes for our futures and present circumstances, we are undoubtedly each other's closest friends. Not many siblings out there can say that and truly mean it.

So no, I can't have impromptu wine-fests on your couches whenever I'd like and I can't send my girl over to play on afternoons when I really need a break, but I have something that in so many ways is so much better. I have the endless comfort of knowing that even farther out there I have sister soulmates. Women who love, support, respect and know me for who I really am. Women whose love for my daughter rivals all but my own. Women I have spent my life with who will always be there no matter what--no matter how we are separated.

At least for now, we have to schedule conversations and share laughs and stories over webcams. I still hold onto my fantasy and pray that God has that in mind for us someday as well. Until then, here we are. Let's make the most of it and create a space that's just for us... Who knows where it will lead.