On a hot and humid Alabama afternoon last week, I sat on the front porch swing sipping iced tea as I visited with my mother. As we talked about life, about weddings and marriages (since I feel like all I do these days are attend weddings), about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, my mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance towards me.
“Don’t forget your sisters,” my mom advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. I gave her a puzzled look as I considered the fact that I have no female siblings, only four brothers.
“Your true friends - your sisters,” my mom said jokingly correcting the puzzled look on my face. “They are the ones that will be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your boyfriend/husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.
“Remember that a sister means ALL the women in your life…your girlfriends, your daughters, your grandmother, me and all the other women relatives also. You’ll need other women. Women always do.”
What a funny piece of advice I thought. Haven’t I just graduated from college? Haven’t I just settled down with a great job and a wonderful boyfriend? I’m now a working woman for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my future husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!
But I listened to my mother. I decided that I did need to keep in contact with my sisters and continue to make more women friends through the upcoming years. As the years tumble by, I am positive that I will see and understand what my mom had just told me.
One piece of advice that she spoke this hot afternoon, will stay with me forever – “As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters will be the mainstays of her life.”
What a strong statement! I was speechless after she made that comment. After almost 50 years of living in this world, I without a doubt trust what my mother has learned and am seeking to follow her advice.
I have learned a few things from my 23 years of experience while on this earth – Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don’t do what they’re supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. But...sisters are there no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
Don’t let go of your sisters. Don’t forget to keep in touch with them. Plan a spontaneous weekend with your sisters. Your sisters will always be there for you.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley’s rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf and waiting with open arms at the valley’s end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you or come in and carry you out.
Allow your sisters to bless your life. And remember - don’t forget about your sisters.
Hayley Wofford’s Bio: Hayley is a 2007 graduate of Auburn University. Graduating Cum Laude with BA in Public Relations, she traveled working with a marketing agency for NASCAR. She now resides in Alabama and is the Public Relations Assistant for Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc., also known as “YellaWood” – the largest producer of treated pine in the U.S. In her spare time, Hayley enjoys the outdoors, photography, traveling, fishing, college football, basketball and spending time with her family and friends.