When I went to Australia this past February, I expected much of what happened. I was fully prepared to be ecstatic to see my brother, my own flesh and blood. My dear bro, who has played a unique roll in shaping my life. It came as no surprise that our conversation flowed freely, and that time and distance had done nothing to diminish our friendship. I was not surprised that I fell in love with Bec just a little more - her softness, her openness, her generosity, her complete acceptance and celebration of who I am - though they are incredible gifts to me, and I receive them humbly - they did not completely shock me. This is who I've come to know her to be. And my beautiful niece and adorable nephews...well, I fully expected them to be gorgeous, and they did not disappoint (after all, they have great genetics - heehee). In
What I didn't expect was my sister-in-law.
I mean, she was my travel partner, so of course I expected her presence!!
However.
I was unprepared for the way I could laugh with her, the way she brought out my "silly", the way she could draw out the girl I was before my life was driven by responsibilities. I have a tonne of memories of
Though my time in Australia was highlighted by incredible fun, it was peppered liberally with daily eye-opening, challenging, humbling, growth-inspiring conversation. And that is not overstating my experience. Perhaps it was the removal of all responsibility from my life for those two weeks, my ability to simply focus on myself, without the distraction of daily family living. Perhaps it was being able to remove myself from my life, in order to see it more clearly. Whatever it was, my time in Australia gave me opportunity to look closer at the parts of me I can easily ignore at home. As I processed, my sister-in-law became my sounding board (she had no choice - we were together 24 hours a day). She listened. She encouraged me. She bravely challenged my misconceptions. She inspired me to be true to myself. Late into the night, I poured out whatever was on my heart, and she received it with grace and compassion.
It sounds dramatic. And it was.
Why am I saying this now, 10 months later?
This morning felt a bit like mini-Australia vacation.
She calls me at 8:45 this morning.
"So, are you ready to go?" (she's referring to having breakfast at the teahouse, to celebrate that I am now unemployed, as the last of our pigs left the barn yesterday).
"I don't know," I say, insipidly. "I'm still wearing PJ's"
"Me too. Let's go in our PJ's", comes the cheerful, undaunted reply.
After mild protest, I consent.
Five minutes later, I am sitting in her van, wearing pj's that were pulled out of the dryer minutes earlier. My teeth have been brushed. My hair was not so fortunate.
As we are seated at the table, I feel some of my layers peeling off. I stop caring who sees me in my pj's and start laughing. We begin talking and sharing our hearts. The atmosphere, the formula. It feels reminiscent of Australia. Mix one part silly with two parts honesty.
I like it. I feel content. Relaxed. Enjoying the gift that sits across the table from me.
I am not prepared for what comes next.
I hear her say something similar to the following....
"Next time, we should go to McDonald's in our wedding dresses".
4 comments:
YOU ARE THE WEIRDEST CRAZIEST LOONIEST DAUGHTERS ANY MOTHER COULD HAVE....AND I LOVE YOU DEARLY.
Awesome!!
Let us know when you go to McDonald's in your wedding dresses...because I believe you girls will actually do it! :) Great post Sharon...it is so awesome to hear, in your beautiful words, how you cherish your favorite people in your life. It makes me smile.
I would say you took the words right out of my mouth. You put it so nicely. This is how I would have put it in my few words that I speak. That was a great day. HEHE.
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