Sisters From Different Mothers

Today, I am hostessing a tea for a group of ladies who have gathered together for tea and sharing lives for the last 30+ years. They are friends of more like 50 years, who as their kids were growing up and they were leading busy lives, decided to set aside time for "girltalk." So they gather for tea, once a month at each others' homes. As they are all in their 80's now, some have passed away, and on those months, they go out for tea at a teahouse of some sort. They talk, catch up on each others' lives, and have that connection of faith, fellowship, laughter, and sharing the joys and sorrows of each others' lives. "They are sisters from different mothers." As my mom has her own health issues, she is no longer able to do all the preparation of the tea, so I am doing it for her, with a little help from two "sisters of different mothers" of my own. One girlfriend, Lori, has been my closest friend since kindergarten, when our teacher pulled aside both of our mom's and said, "You have to get these girls together. They play so well together." We have been playing for 47 years now, and although we have lived in different states for the last 30 something years, we talk to each other almost daily and see each other about every other year. Toni, the other friend, is here as well. We have been friends since 10 or 11 years old. Her mom was in the tea group, and was like a second mom to me. Bets passed away 8 years ago.Toni's daughter was my flower girl in my wedding. So, Toni, Lori and I are doing the tea today, so the ladies can see them, and to keep the tradition going. We can share the next chapters.

There is a special connection between women, who have a spiritual bond, who have a history, and who share similar stories of experiences and love. The "Tea Group" are not exactly the Ya Ya Sisterhood, because they are far more tame! But they do have the history, and the understanding of each other, that enables them to come into each others' homes and just begin where they left off. There are some things that just don't even need to be spoken, because it is understood. When someone from their group is sick or passes away, the others are right there, to help them get through the grief. It was like that when we learned of my brother's sudden death. Within minutes of the news being announced, we had about a dozen people in our living room. One went up to our cabin to pick up my brother's wallet and his truck to bring it here. Others had meals coming in for the next week or so, others organized the reception following his service. But more than that, they were all holding us close, crying with us, and helping to make the burden a little lighter.

All I can say is we all need sisters like this. And our brothers need brothers like this. The spouses of these "Sisters of different Mothers" are equally present and like family. It is so important to have people, to have a community, a family of friends who you know you can celebrate with, or share burdens with. It adds a richness to life, that is immeasurable.