sister.

sis·ter

1. A female having the same parents as another or one parent in common with another.
2. A girl or woman who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others.

when i was younger, i used to be so sad that i didn't have a sister. i have a great younger brother, but there was always that void in my heart that needed to be filled. this was not just so that i could play barbies with someone (jonathan would indulge me on several occasions as long as barbie could have a date with the x-men) or to have some one to do my hair or dress like me. i just wanted that female bond that was inseparable. one where two girls took care of each other, made each other laugh, even sometimes cry, but always loved each other.

my mom was supposed to have another baby when i was nine years old. i was determined that this baby would be a girl. her name was going to be carly michelle (carly for my mom's favorite singer, carly simon, and michelle for my best friend at the time--interesting how that works out). but something happened, as things sometimes do, and mom lost the baby. that's one of the most heart-breaking memories of my life, if i think about it.

although my mom didn't have any more kids, i ended up having several, true sisters. God, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, has revealed to me the souls of some of my cherished friends. they are women who have helped shape me into who i am, who keep me sane, who remind me to be joyful, who understand things on levels deeper than i knew existed, who challenge me and delight me, who inspire me and support me, who trust me and hold me accountable, who may disappoint me but undoubtedly love me. what i like a lot about it is that we're not all best friends with one another. each one has entered my life by means of a different port, from different waters and shores. but there is something strong and inseverable that connects me to each one of them, regardless of our separate paths.

i think we're all just now beginning to realize how rare and beautiful that is.