Sisterhood & Girlfriends

I am the short one.  Although I am 3rd in birth order I am the one that got picked on for being short.  Today I am sitting in my office working on a community I share with a host of amazing women.  You can visit it here:  www.girlfriendshub.com  I am sitting in my office reflecting on how we view our friendships. Especially our friendships with other women.  What builds that inner connection among girlfriends?

I sit back and watch many women in friendships.  Some see friendships as disposable.  Those are unhappy women from what I have observed. Those who never really connect or have  deep long lasting friends. Going from one person to the next and never really putting down roots into a friendship.   I have the blessing of having many friends, that have now spanned over 4 generations.  Those friendships have come with a lot of growing up and a lot of work.  This past week, a young girl asked me a very interesting question.  She did not grow up in a  "social" family. She was kind of a loaner, and is seeking to be a good friend, and wants to look back years later and have those girlfriends that stood the test of time. She asked me, "How have you learned to be such a good friend?"  I was both honored and humbled.

Sitting in my office and pondering a question that has me smiling. I try. Isn't that really our best efforts, trying?  However, with deeper thought I realized it started as a young girl.  It started with Deborah, Julie, and Suzanne. My sisters.  We were all very good friends when we were kids.  Yes, Julie pulled my hair when I ate her No Bake Fudgies she hid under the bed.  Yes, Deborah bruised me with a wire hanger when I wore her favorite shirt.  Suzanne just loved me unconditionally. I was older than she was and took her into my adventures.  Our friendships have the test of time, distance, and separation. 

Our  lives evolved into one that had all of us girls taken from home and turned over to the states care.  We were separated for many years, each being sent in a different direction and starting new lives with new families. Yet, that sisterhood was stronger than distance or state laws.  When we were old enough we found our places back into each others lives.

My commitment and love towards my sister's, no matter, is what instilled in me that same commitment and love to my girlfriends. Many now life long friends.  The value they have in my life.  We each live very different lives. My sisters, my girlfriends, and those many friendships I am blessed with, have an unspoken commitment to stay the course regardless. It is now my heritage of sisterhood in both girlfriends and my dear sisters, Deborah, Julie, and Suzanne. 

The beauty of sharing and growing up with my sister's in those early years it truly what taught me about relationships. If you take something that is not  yours apologize.  Ask permission next time. I think I still owe Julie a batch of No Bake Fudgies.   Important skills that have followed me into half of my life.  This is not a blog post on how to make friends, keep friends, and be a friend.  This is just the simple realization that I had the blessing of learning how to embrace the sisterhood of friendship through my relationships with my own sisters.  Who has walked with you since childhood?  Who is that girlfriend or sister that taught you the value of lasting friendships?  My sister's were my teachers.