Of Sisters and Friendship

There is something incredibly blessed about sibling friendship. Family feuds seem to be 
pretty common these days. And perhaps it's always been that way. Think of Joseph and his jealous brothers who sold him into slavery. Isaac and Ishmael are still going at it today. Remember Esau and Jacob who fought over the birthright and blessing. And, of course, how can we leave out Cain who murdered his brother Abel?

On the other hand, what a beautiful thing to enjoy sibling friendship. My visit with my sister Laura this week was a double blessing. I didn't really know her growing up. When I started high school she was only five. When I left for college she was nine. After that I was only home for a few months in the summer when I worked. And then I left home for good when I was 21 and she was 13. Only in adulthood have we gotten to know each other and grown in friendship. As I said, what a blessing!

And what a week we've had! We went to the county fair and enjoyed the sulky races and cheered on the 4H and FFA kids as they showed their goats. We watched baby chicks pecking their way out of shells. Laura gobbled at the turkeys and they gobbled back. We collected all kinds of goodies in the tent dedicated to seniors. And we both ate a "messy hot dog" with chili, cheese, cole slaw, and jalapeno peppers. What a treat although I gave my sister most of the peppers. 

Lots of goodies at the senior tent. 

The next day we went "junking" at a local consignment store and took the dam walk under the bluest of skies. Yesterday we went kayaking on the river where I got so stuck on rocks near the end that Laura had to come out and help me get safely to shore without losing the kayak and paddle. I crawled in the water for a few feet, then stood up and walked with her secure arm holding mine. Nine years younger and a life of athletic activities made her the perfect companion for a rather sedentary old lady with a tendency to vertigo.

And then there were the Scrabble games and the rosaries. We're pretty evenly matched, but she beats me more than I do her. Last night we prayed outside with Larry on an evening so cool I wrapped in a shawl and turned on the fire table. A shooting star seemed to be a final blessing to a lovely visit. 

Laura left this morning with both Larry and me looking forward to her return in the future. We urged her to get her passport so the three of us can take a trip together perhaps to Niagara Falls and Canada. I hope it happens! How many of those adventures remain for us? 

Laura worries a little that Larry might wish she would go home. He never does. She makes him laugh and he enjoys seeing how much fun I have when she's here. He told me this morning after she left to tell her he was sorry to see her go. Me too. We chatted on the porch about me meeting her in Frederick for a walk on the creek path and then staying a few days at her house. Perhaps we will do another kayak trip, this time on the Bird River. After our last kayaking adventure I expect Laura to say this:

It was pretty funny. And we had an audience on the shore, an elderly gent who was probably glad he skipped the kayak outing.