How does one get through life without sisters?

Tonight I talked with someone who has no sisters. It was just a passing conversation about kids sharing rooms. I said I'd shared a room all growing up, she said she had only brothers. That was all. And of course she's not the only one I know without sisters. Kevin's sister had only 5 brothers. But I keep thinking about what that would be. Maybe having 3 of mine living so close to me lately has made me see the wonderful impact they have on my life, has made me feel that life without them would not be okay.

When I was younger I could list us off in no time flat:

boyboygirlgirlgirlgirlboyboyboygirlboy

when asked by people who were intrigued by the size of our family. I didn't realize how significant that clump of girlgirlgirlgirl would be in my adult life. Because those girls are my lifelong friends.

We were all dorks together... Thank goodness we overcame that, right?

right.

Kristen is beautiful and talented. She has an amazing voice. I could listen to her sing all day long. She plays the guitar and the violin and can take a fridge full of nothing and create a miracle. She comes over and sings and cooks and cleans. She loves to talk and connect and really wants to know what I think about things. She asks great questions and ponders deep and spiritual things. She is adventurous and loves trying new things and looks great in skinny jeans.

Marlee is brilliant and fashion forward. She is an incredible writer and has a ton of spunk. She has a quick whit and is the most fun when it comes to IMing. She makes me laugh unlike any other. She is just the right amount of irreverent. She loves my boys and they love her. Once when asked who his favorite brother was, Jack said Marlee. When she comes up we watch CSI or Gilmore Girls. She brings her Ipod and we have dance parties.

Mikelle is perfect in so many ways. She is soothing to the soul because she is just so nice and so good. She'll call and want to come up because she misses the boys and we'll spend the day laughing ang talking and playing with them. I adore it when she visits. She is so funny. She is compassionate and considerate and it's fun to tease her. She is an incredible artist and singer, though she is more shy about her talents. She'll babysit my boys and act as though I've done her a favor.

And as Marielle, (who is now 11) grows up, we'll all be here for her. I suspect she'll outshine all of us. She's like the new and improved version of me.And they are mine. All mine. I'll always have them. And I'll be grateful for that everyday.

Kristen, Marlee, Mikelle, and Me