sisters

"for there is no friend like a sister,
in calm or stormy weather,

to cheer one on the tedious way,

to fetch one if one goes astray,

to lift one if one totters down,

to strengthen whilst one stands."

christina rossetti wrote these words as part of her epic poem the goblin market. it is the story of two sisters. it is the story of one sister's heroic, self-sacrificing love given to save the other. it is the story which tells us that love can be used to save another. i have a sister such as this!

she is my best friend, she is my confidant, she is my sounding board, and at times she has been my frustration. (would she be a true sister without this?) but she has never left me nor betrayed me. by her side i learned how to pretend and how to believe. we took space ships rides together while nestled in the branches of the crab apple tree, and sent secret notes of hopes and dreams out into the world from high a top the mighty oak and spent playtime in the basement with lima beans, chalk boards, the red gingham dress and wooden banister horses. countless adventures experienced. pretend soon lead to reality as true love was found and declared, babies came and were cuddled and real life adventures were taken to places throughout the world. she has shared her life with me. where mine was lacking she filled it in. i do not have the words she has to describe my love for her. i only can echo the refrain, "there were flowers on her pillow, that matched ones on mine. madame alexander dolls and traded valentines....she knew my best, she knew my worst and everything in between ... some dreams have come and some dreams are gone and some remain just dreams ... sisters". thank you sister for all you have given me. happy birthday cori!