Sisters

I have been blessed with having two sisters. one 2.5 years older, one 2.5 years younger. (I also have an older brother who is kind and supportive but today's blog is about sisters.) While growing up, we were a close family and our parents were supportive in whatever we wanted to do. Family dinners, while stressful for a picky eater, were filled with conversation, informal life lessons and wordplay. Marcia loved to play school and I'm sure that as one of her in-home, easy-access, pretend students I gained many skills that helped me with my education down the road. I also liked that she left her Young Miss magazine laying around where I could read it. Having older siblings to navigate the waters of school ahead of me helped as well. I began teaching in Two

Rivers because Marcia told me there was an opening for a study hall supervisor. Seven years later, I was the interim principal in that building. That would not have happened without her love and support. I have enjoyed sharing a profession with her and she has supported me personally and in my career every step of the way. I won't go into the details of my job loss five years ago but it was stressful on both of us. We shared several tearful convesations as those events unfolded and we both had real fears it would harm our relationship. We had dinner last night and talked about this briefly. Having a chance to visit, just the two of us, in a relaxed atmosphere was so peaceful and calming. I came out to both of my sisters at the same time about four years ago, sitting across from them in the dining room. Since that time, Marcia signs her letters to me, LYAAAW - Love you Always and All Ways. With my younger sister Marilyn, the roles were a bit reversed. I was able to be the older sibling helping to navigate. Athough, with her independence, I don't really think I had to do much! In reality, she probably ended up tolerating me more than I assisted. One of my

favorite moments was when I walked home from the high school, about 3.5 miles away. Marilyn was home and asked me where the car was as she needed to go somewhere. When I told her that I had no idea she reminded me that I drove it to school that day. Somehow I forgot that fact! I also liked that we were both in jazz band at the same time and got to share the stage. When she moved to Arizona for a couple years I realized how much I missed her. I tried to stay connected but pre-internet days were more challenging that way. I was happy when she moved back to Madison. When I first started venturing out, she would ask me to cat sit, giving me a safe space in Madison where I could be me. Marilyn was quick to embrace me as her sister. There was one time when I let her know that I appreciated that she introduced me that way. She looked at me, almost perplexed, and said, "Well, you are." That touched my heart. Our parents raised us to be independent. I find it difficult to explain how close we are but how we have such separate lives.

Marcia and I worked in the same area, sometimes the same district, but often other people saw her more than I did. I recall one person finding that odd and asked, "Aren't you close?" I replied that we are very close, we just don't get together that often. As my siblings retire and time is more flexible, I find that we have chances to connect a little more often. I appreciate that. As I look forward to my own career ending, I am hoping to have chances to get together more frequently. My own journey may take me farther away from my parents and sisters. Being farther away from aging parents is worrisome at times. One of my sisters reassured me that this is my time and they've got this. I find comfort knowing they are both of my sisters are within five miles of my parents and each other.

I had planned to write about the many women who I consider to be my sisters. The power of the sisterhood has been incredible and I think I'll have to save those insights for a future blog. As I write this, women's marches are going on across the country. Sadly, I was unable to participate. One of my friends mentioned she was going to do her own march so I put on my pink hat, made by another friend/sister and walked in solidarity. Later, I enjoyed looking online at the creative signs that were displayed. There are some very clever people out there! I honestly feel that the future of our country and world lies in the hands and futures of women. Sisters of the world unite!