Today is National Siblings Day and I have three amazing siblings. Mine are all sisters and I can honestly say, I love having sisters. I have often said, “I cannot imagine life without them.” Being the youngest, I also have three talkative, “tell me what to do” sisters. They cheered me on even as they protected me. They were also the source of much information as I was growing up, as they are older and know more (which they still believe to this day). Case in point…
When I was about 12, I was on an evening walk with my sister, Kathy. The vast full moon was just rising above the horizon and had this beautiful orange sheen. “Wow, Kathy, look at the moon. I’ve never seen it such a pretty color,” gushed my young self.
“Oh that? That’s just the smog making it that color,” enlightened my factual, someday-to-be-scientist sister. I have never beheld an orangey moon in the same manner since.
Or the time when I was a lazy senior in high school. My eminently more hard-working sister, Donna, became worried I might not pass my classes and graduate. She drew a picture of a clock with the hands approaching noon, an owl in the center in graduation cap and gown, with the words around the clock face… Time will pass. Will you? Fortunately, I did.
Now I have embarked on the adventure of publishing a book about our mother. When I finished the manuscript recently, I sent it to my sisters. You can see by their responses how different they are and in keeping with how they were when growing up. Kathy, positive but matter-of-fact. Donna, wonderfully over-the-top. (Sadly, Barbara has been ill and has yet to read it. She will soon.)
“Wow Pam! I didn’t expect to receive this until after you finished your current job. Best wishes. Love, Kathy.”
“Hi Pam, I stayed up until 5am this morning finishing your book. I really, really, really enjoyed reading your book. It had a flow to it and it was connected to your life at DreamWorks. You did such a good job!!!! There were some very special stories in it. I couldn't put it down and I stayed up most of the night reading it. How talented you are Pam!!! What a great writer you are!!! I'm so proud of you. Love, always, Donna.”
It is so wonderful having siblings that keep me both grounded and help me to soar above the clouds. We are there for each other through thick and thin, even though we have often been separated by thousands of miles. In my book, I thanked my mom for my sisters. They were her greatest gift. And as this day dawns, I will not let it pass without thanking each one of them for being the best sisters… ever!
Do you have a sibling story you might like to share? I’d love to hear it below in the comments.
Here is a picture of us in England.
My three older sisters are in their boarding school uniforms.
Barbara is the tall one on the left. Donna and I are in the middle. Kathy is in the right.
Here we are in Holland in local costume--Barbara, Donna, Kathy and Pam