My Best Friends

My quest for the Marathon continues. I am now starting week 8 of the 30 week training and am still doing fairly well. I also got another bit of a boost this last week from my sister, Annie. Annie has always wanted to do a marathon, but because of her bad knees she has never done one. With me deciding that I am doing one, she has decided to once again tackle the issue and push herself through the pain to get it done. (I am a little worried for her, but know that she really wants to do this as well.) So, we have decided to start running our long runs together. Yeah, now I have a partner.

Now that I have that bit of an update out of the way, the real reason for this post. While Annie and I were running this last Monday (that is when we do our long run) I was filled with a deep sense of thanks for this sweet sister of mine. I have always believed that my sisters have been my very best friends. I have described them as "my home." No matter where we go, or what is going on, I am "home" if I have my sisters. They have always seemed to make everything better.

As we were running Annie and I talked about this. She told me about a study she had read about where they were able to make a direct link between how happy people were with if they had sisters. I can whole heartedly agree with that. I know that I am as happy as I am in my life because of my wonderful sisters. They have always been there for me and supported me in all my endeavors of life.

I am sure that this great sense of gratitude does have to do with the fact that last week also marked one year since we lost Michelle. My heart aches for the loss of my sister, my friend. She had always been the sister that had pulled us all together through the years when Annie and I had not yet become friends. She was the perfect oldest sister to our trio. But as I mourn the loss of my loving sister I am filled with even more thanks for the sister that has helped me through this loss. I do not know what I would have done if in loosing one sister I did not have another to turn to. Annie has helped to buoy me up through this last year and continue to be the strongest person I know. I don't know how she has handled the last two years. I know how my heart aches for the loss of my sister and nephew but she aches not only for a sister, but a son as well. I am certain that there are few people in this life stronger than Annie.

I will be eternally grateful for my sisters. They truly are my "home." My best friends.