Elise Skidmore

Today is my big sister’s birthday. I love her a lot—I always have, but we weren’t always as close as we are now. There’s the age difference for one, and we’ve got different personalities, for another, but we always knew we’d be there for each other when the chips were down. Whenever we asked my mother what she would like when gift-giving times came, her answer was always the same: I want you and your sister to love each other. They say with age comes wisdom, and I guess that’s true. Mom was right (as she so often was, much to both our annoyance). There’s a special bond between siblings, especially when they come from strong, loving roots.

So Happy Birthday, Susan. This is for you. We might be geographically separated, but we’re always together at the heart. Thanks for everything from singing me to sleep when I was little and afraid of the dark, to being there to listen when I need a shoulder to cry on. I love you–always have, always will.

A Sisters’ Garden

We were seeds planted in the same garden.

The gardeners who planted the seeds

tended their garden with love,

using all the tools they had to ensure

we would grow to fulfill our potential.

They set out in hope,

dreaming we would grow side by side,

each a beautiful rose, but uniquely nuanced,

our roots entwined, but never choking.

We were showered in equal measure

with sunshine and with rain;

we grew tall and strong to weather all storms,

and spread good seed so the garden lives on.

Side by side we face the sun,

awash in the gardeners’ love.

~Elise Skidmore ©2016