Sisterhood

And so this weekend

she is coming home

like any other weekend

except this time

every cell in her breasts and lungs and bones

cry out dependently

for independence

and healing

free to live

another day, another year

to hold her grandbabies

and watch them grow

joyfully laughing at them

with her kids

But for now

we will gather in strength and numbers

to pray, and laugh and cry

we will feel the warmth

of faith, hope and love

Holding fast

to the sisterhood

of childhood

that has bonded us for life

We’ll dip our toes in the water

of our skinny dipping years

and after it’s dark and

we have licked the salt from our last margarita

I will raise a toast to life, laughter and love

and in the true spirit of embracing the ridiculous

I will dare seven middle aged sisters in the moonlight

to don our birthday suits

because we can

Patricia Spreng

(If it comes to mind, please pray for my sister, Mary Sue... she has just begun her battle with breast, lung and bone cancer... we will be gathering this weekend at a secluded cottage that has been in our family for years... we spent our summers here... and yes, when Dad and brother were gone and the boys from the camp across the lake were back in their cabins... skinny dipping was a regular practice and glorious reprieve from the night time heat.)

Barlow Lake 1955... Mary Sue is the third oldest
and there were three more sisters yet to come!  

MARY SUE