"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Monday, May 10, 2010

We talk about mother's, but what about friend's day?


Got this from my daughter yesterday! Wasn't that sweet?

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

"Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.' They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your 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 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about.

As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

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 girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

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.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

I just thought this was nice too - we remember our grandmothers we remember our mothers - but there is a place and a time in our lives to celebrate and thank our friends - for being there and holding us up and being the wind beneath our wings.



Happy Birthday to Fred Astaire - wikipedia

Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Johanna "Ann" and Frederic "Fritz" Austerlitz. Astaire's mother was born in the United States to Lutheran German immigrants from East Prussia and Alsace, while Astaire's father was born in Linz, Austria, to Jewish parents who had converted to Catholicism.

After arriving in New York City at age 24 on October 26, 1892, and being processed at Ellis Island, Astaire's father, hoping to find work in his brewing trade, moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and landed a job with the Storz Brewing Company. Astaire's mother dreamed of escaping Omaha by virtue of her children's talents after Adele Astaire early on revealed herself to be an instinctive dancer and singer. She planned a "brother-and-sister act," which was common in vaudeville at the time. Although Astaire refused dance lessons at first, he easily mimicked his older sister's step and took up piano, accordion, and clarinet.

And did you know what - they did make their way out of Omaha by way of the brother and sister act - they danced together and made movies for years together. His sister quit when she got married at age 25.

Then he found Ginger . . . . and the rest is history.

I never knew that.

17 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Wonderful post Sandie!! I am proud to call you Sister! You are the best friend!

Stella said...

What a great reminder to appreciate those women in our life and I am glad to call you friend.

I have always loved to watch old Fred dance. I still watch his old balck and white movies if I get a chance. Have a lovely day. It is raining here so no garden work today. Stella

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love this, Sandie! And when you think about it, it's very Biblical advice. We need a support system, and what better place to turn than to other women? We love to listen, share, and wing mend. So this makes perfect sense when we need those things done for us.

And I adore Fred Astaire. He's my favorite dance of all time. And believe it or not, Michael Jackson said he studied Astaire to perfect his own dance moves. He's another favorite dancer.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Friends are our life line at times. A sister friend can understand your feelings and thoughts more so than a man (no matter how much he loves you)
I am proud to call so many of our blogger sisters friends.
Molly

Susan said...

Hello Sandie...It is wonderful to have a new sister.....YOU! Sincerely, Susan

ClassyChassy said...

Seems you have a whole BUNCH of sisters, Sister!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Perfect post for the Chatty Crone, Sandie. thanks!

Angela said...

Hey Sandie!

Add one more Sister to your family! Me!

Hugs,
Angela

Melanie said...

What a great post! It's great to have family, but we do need good girlfriends too! :)

Joyce said...

How true!
Joyce

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

My Mum kept telling me that when she got to heaven she was going to dance with Fred Astaire....she was such a huge fan. I had forgotten until I saw your post.

And, sisters......I'm so thrilled to have met so many here in bloglandia!

Warm hugs,
Spencer

BECKY said...

Hi there....arriving from Susan's blog at Writing Straight from the Heart! I totally agree with the sisterhood of women!

Whosyergurl said...

I love my sisters! Women rock and make this big ol' world go round!
Love you!
Cheryl

My Grama's Soul said...

Sweet post today on friends..........friend!!!

Blessings,

Jo

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I am your sister too.
This is beautiful

Mollye said...

Thank you sister for posting this. Has been and will always be my philosophy. Can't have too many and each precious in her own right! XXHugs, Mollye

ocmist said...

You know, I think watching Fred and Ginger dance was where I first fell in love with watching that art! This was really interesting.

I see that you have at least TWO "Linda's" that are blessed to count you as a sister and friend. I loved the "Sister" part and have really found it to be SOOOOO true! I'm blessed to be close to two of my blood sisters and to have many others that I have met and had as friends for many years now as well as the new ones I'm meeting all the time...