I had the good fortune of growing up in a large blended family. I was born into three sisters. The two oldest were quite a bit older than me. They were adopted by my parents after our folks had started out as their foster parents. Then they had a daughter born to them and I was born next. After me came three more boys. One born into our family, two adopted. Our parents never made distinctions between children who entered the family by birth and those who came to us by adoption. It proved to be a very good model for me as I grew up as it turned out that we have one adopted child and one who was born to us. Both are incredible blessings to me and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

So, I consider myself to be a bit of an expert on sisters. There are a few downsides to being born with older sisters. One is that they like to change your clothes a lot. I never have been that much on changing my clothes, but it seemed like my sisters, especially the middle one, enjoyed changing my clothes way more often that I would have chosen. Another downside is that you have to learn to be patient about using the bathroom. It seems to be OK for sisters to all go into the bathroom at the same time, but brothers aren’t allowed. And when I got more brothers, I had already learned to enjoy privacy in the bathroom and had no interest in sharing. Even though we got a second bathroom in our house when I was very young, I still did my share of waiting.

Mostly, however, having sisters is a bonus. Teachers may comment on your sisters, but they usually don’t expect you to be like them. I got quite a bit of privilege for being the oldest boy in our family. I often got to go to work with my father and spend a morning or sometimes a whole day with him, which I really liked. The sisters usually had to go with him in groups of two or three. And sisters generally are very loving. When they are trying a new recipe, they let you do a taste test. They sometimes even sneak you cookies. They help with chores sometimes and they make good friends.

I have been extremely lucky in the sister department. In addition to those three, two of whom have now died, I gained two sisters by marriage. Susan is the oldest of three daughters and so when I became a part of their family it seemed like I inherited two younger sisters. Over the decades since those sisters have treated me very well and I love them dearly. Having had some experience with sisters I like to think that I have been a pretty good brother to them as well. I hope they think so.

After their mother died Susan and her sisters got together to help clean out their father’s house and get it ready to sell. I was privileged to be included in that process and we had a few good laughs in the midst of all of the work. Working together is a wonderful way to get to know people even better and I am grateful that I was included.

After their father died the sisters have tried to get together about once each year. Sometimes there is a special occasion and they get to be all three together more than once. When the Covid Pandemic came, they had to take a year off from traveling to get together.

This week they have come together for another “Sister’s Retreat” in Red Lodge, Montana, where the middle sister lives. Susan and I have expanded the retreat to include a camping trip for us. We took our time traveling to Red Lodge, stopping in familiar places and exploring a few new ones. We plan to meander back home slowly as well.

So for the next couple of days I have some time to myself as the sisters enjoy some time with each other. I’ve got plenty of things to do and I won’t be bored. Red Lodge is an excellent place for day hikes and I’ll probably get in a paddle at a nearby reservoir.

Tonight, I am feeling particularly grateful for the five sisters I have had in my life. There is something very special about my relationship with each of them. I love them dearly and they show their love for me in so many ways. In addition to the blessings of these sisters, I am feeling lucky that it turned out for us that our son also has a sister. I have been privileged to witness how their friendship and connection has matured and changed over the years. As adults they are wonderful support for each other and it gives me confidence to know that were there to be a need I know that they would be there for each other just as my sisters have been there for me.

In the fall of 2019, sisters really came through for me. Susan had a health crisis and ended up in intensive care with a respirator. She has fully recovered, but it took time. I made a few calls to inform sisters of what was going on and they called each other and made a plan. Susan’s youngest sister flew to Montana where my youngest sister met her airplane. Together they drove through the night to our home. Our son flew in that night as well. The sisters took over running our household, doing laundry, cooking, and getting ready for Susan to come home. When those sisters needed to go back to their regular lives, Susan’s other sister came and helped care for Susan and keep our household running while I returned to work. I am grateful for all they did during that crisis and I know that we would be ready to respond if one of them had a need.

I don’t mean to downplay the importance of brothers in my life and I don’t mean to say that I value my relationship with my brothers any less than my sisters. It is just that this week I am aware of sisters because I have been able to see both of Susan’s sisters and it feels really good. I know that the three sisters are having a fun time together and that they are strengthening even stronger relationships.