Lucky Me

How do people who don’t have sisters manage? I know many people seem to do just that, but for me it feels pretty near unimaginable.

We went to Becca and Jason’s today to watch the Super Bowl. I must admit that I didn’t really watch much of the game even though I was parked in front of it. Between the kids’ antics and my embroidery project that I have to finish for my cousin’s wedding shower next Sunday (and, to be honest, my complete lack of interest in football), I wasn’t really paying much attention to the screen. That wasn’t the point, anyway – not for me, at least. I just like to spend time with my sister and her family.

So much of life is stressful to me these days. And while I am the beneficiary of several sustaining friendships, all but one of these leaves me feeling at least a little tired when I drive away from a get together. With Becca, that is not the case. Some days I can talk and talk about whatever is on my mind; and while I know that she may not always agree, she will always listen. Really listen. And she cares. But other days, like today, I am simply too tired to talk much at all. With most people, I have to reach down inside for a scrap of energy to come up with some sort of conversation material. With my sister, I don’t have to do that. I spent four hours at her house today, perfectly relaxed (i.e. very quiet). We did talk a bit, but not much. Mostly I sat on my corner of the couch, with juvenile bedlam all around, and just … was.

Does this mean that I don’t ever get frustrated with her? No. I do, on occasion (although not often). And I know she gets fed up with me at times. But she is the one person to whom I can open the front door while dressed in my bathrobe, with greasy bed head and five loads of laundry piled on my couch – and not feel, for even a moment, that she is evaluating my “performance.” I am just me, and that is enough for her. Having someone like that in my life makes me richer than any amount of money ever could.