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As you
open the newspaper, the advertisement reads:
NO
HUSBANDS OR CHILDREN
NO CLEANING FLOORS OR LAUNDRY
NO BALL PARKS OR CARPOOLS
NO FAST FOOD OR STYROFOAM CONTAINERS
Those
of us who spend our lives completing these tasks on a daily
basis might be drawn to the advertisement as a moth is drawn
to a flame. Could this be an advertisement for Heaven? No,
this is simply the recipe for the best weekend three sisters
could have.
My
sisters and I come from a traditional family of the
fifties. We were brought up in a cookie-cutter neighborhood
like every other family on the block. There was a mother,
father, three children and two dogs. We went to a
neighborhood school and stayed within the safety of our
surroundings.
As the
girls grew and the family changed, our mother designed a
plan in her mind that would put the CIA to shame. She would
make sure that her "girls" would stay close throughout their
adult life, no matter how hard she had to work. She plotted
every time the girls were together. "Why don't you go out
to lunch? Why don't the three of you spend a day shopping?
I'll be more than happy to watch all the grandchildren,"
were the words that rang clear each time we were together.
Mother's plan was succeeding. We actually enjoyed the time
together, and we thought we were getting away with murder.
After all, what could be better than a day out while
Grandmommie baby-sits all the children?
Boy,
did we pull the wool over her eyes! But this wolf in
sheep's clothing, we called Mother had formed a bond between
the sisters that nobody could break.
As
years moved on and Mother passed away, that feeling of being
more than sisters but true friends continued to grow, as a
sunflower on a summer day, always trying to reach greater
heights. What would bring the sisters together more often
than just holidays? When would the sisters have an
opportunity just for themselves? A plan was needed. Thus,
the birth of "Sisters Weekend."
Just as
the title denoted, the first few trips were just that. We
would meet on Friday evening and return home on Sunday
afternoon. The days were filled with sightseeing, shopping
and talking. The evenings were filled with delicious
dinners, movies and more talking. By the third year, we
found that three days and two nights were not enough for all
we wanted to accomplish. We also came to the realization
that if we wanted to go outside the state, we would need
more time. With the support of husbands and children,
Sisters Weekend was expanded for one more day. Now the
sisters were ready to explore new horizons.
As if
planning the invasion of a small country, arrangements are
made for the weekend. We place the names of all the
locations that we would like to visit on the table, like a
plate of fresh fruit ready to be picked. Then the
feasibility of the trip is discussed. Limitations such as
time and money mean certain destinations are eliminated or
postponed to another year. Finally, a location is chosen
and the planning begins. Each year a different sister takes
charge of the reservations with input from the others.
Hotels are investigated, restaurants are selected and all
areas of entertainment such as shopping, sightseeing,
historical sights and night life are explored.
With
all the mandatory items covered, the fun begins. Each year,
as part of the weekend, we celebrate with gifts. Lots and
lots of gifts for every occasion. We give each other
Sisters Weekend gifts, we celebrate each other's birthdays,
and if someone has reached a major goal such as a promotion,
that is also a reason for something special. Next,
wardrobes are given equal consideration. Who wants to go
away without the perfect outfit for every occasion?
Besides, any excuse to shop for a new outfit is a good one.
Finally, it is decided what snacks will be brought and by
whom. After all, the last deadly sin is to gossip about
family, friends and work without something sinful to eat.
The day
finally arrives, and the sisters all meet at a designated
location. This changes each year since we are coming from
different cities. The joy comes to a crescendo when all of
us are face to face. The excitement permeates the room and
people stare as if Tom Cruise had just entered the room. We
fail to notice others around us. We are off on our yearly
adventure. Look out, here we come!
Upon
arrival at the hotel, we check in as quietly as possible.
This isn't always easy with all the suitcases, bags and
boxes of goodies we carry. The next few minutes are often
spent explaining to the desk clerk and bellman all about
"Sisters Weekend" and all it implies. On our fifth
anniversary, it was even more interesting. When we arrived
at the hotel, they seemed to know all about us. We were
afraid our reputation had proceeded us. Instead, all the
desk clerk would say was that he knew about us and there was
a surprise waiting for us. When we arrived at the room, we
found three arrangements of a dozen red roses each. My
middle sister's husband wanted to help us celebrate. We
were shocked beyond belief. It looked like a funeral had
taken place in our room.
Since
the event first started, the husbands have wanted to be a
part of the celebration. Each year they contribute
something to the weekend. Sometimes they treat us to
dinner, send flowers or provide us with after-dinner drinks
and Godiva chocolates. It's their way of always supporting
the three sisters.
After
settling into the room, the excitement mounts as if it were
Christmas morning. The presents are handed out one by one.
After all, we need to get the important things out of the
way first. The gifts that are given are loving and
heartwarming or funny, with hidden meanings only the sisters
would understand. In only moments, paper flies everywhere
as if the whirling winds of a tornado have swept though the
room.
The
next few days are filled with the enjoyment of being
together, as if we were one. Our thoughts and dreams as
well as any problems we may be facing are all discussed
while shopping, sightseeing and eating. We talk way into
the night about our lives during the past year. It is a
time for the sisters to renew the bond that had been formed
by my mother so many years ago.
The
last night is always the hardest. Plans are discussed for
next year's excursion, but the thought that this year's trip
is over is always difficult. Tomorrow we will get on with
our lives. This weekend, as short as it is, will be a
moment, frozen in time, forever in our memory. We will
share bits of the experience with others, but the very
special moments we had will only be felt and remembered by
the sisters.
______________________________
Reprinted by permission of Shelly Sconyers Isenberg (c) 1994
from Chicken Soup for the Sister's Soul by Jack Canfield,
Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery, Nancy Autio, Heather
McNamara and Katy McNamara. In order to protect the rights
of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may
be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights
reserved.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May you be blessed today
Bob Johnston
Editor / Publisher
To read archived stories, click on this link:
http://archives.zinester.com/9516/2004
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