‘Sisters make the best friends’- Els

No truer words could have been spoken about my sisters. One silly boy-silly because he never understood many things- said to me once, that I should not spend so much time with my sisters. That right there was a sign of the way things would end-with the boy. Granted, he only had one brother that he could barely stand. I never understood how anyone could not like their very own sibling. He never understood how anyone could like their siblings so much. It did not end well. His story is past and I hope that he made friends; with his brother at least. Though, this is not about him, it is about my sisters. We all tried to kill each other growing up. That is a fact. We tried losing one another, another fact. In fact, our young selves would be hard pressed to believe that we are as close as the ingredients in a deep chocolate cake; distinct and impossible to lose without destroying the cake. Which (the cake) my sisters routinely make with inspired care for us to blissfully devour. I am unable to tell you what the formula is for having siblings you adore, for I have met many since who barely speak to their own. I do know that it does take reminders that if I treat my sisters as friends not just as family, my whole life is saturated with more colour than I could have imagined. Being far from home isn’t half as bad as it would be if I didn’t have these crazy multiple gmail conversations happening everyday, with my sisters. How do I explain that sometimes I look forward to when we fight? It’s always impassioned and irrational; for with them nothing is done in half measure. It is with the same whole hearted spill that they rally to my defence when I’m in trouble (too often I would say), they stand behind me when I perform, embrace those I love, they hold my hand when I insist on mad brained bus hopping border crossing schemes, they forgive me when I disappoint, they inspire when my spirits flag. I wish I could bottle this feeling I get when I think of them, or get around them. I would bottle it and give it away for free. Everyone deserves to carry a little glowing sunshine with them. As I stare at all my belongings waiting to be packed, I can hear their confusing multiple conversations calling to me. I think of the dreariness of that 28 hour bus drive and become faint. Then I remember what will be waiting for me on the other side. Sisters make the best friends.