Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant—ies!
You know when you are putting together a puzzle and the pieces don’t seem to fit? It can be so frustrating! You force them. You rearrange them. You go for the obvious all to no avail. Then suddenly, the parts groove and pictures start to appear, making sense of the odd-shaped pieces. It’s a beautiful sensation, making the effort so worthwhile.
This describes a recent trip I took with my sisters—four very different women, spanning twenty years in age—38, 34, 28, 18. From religious and political beliefs and fashion sense to education and motherhood responsibilities and desires, we are as different as like-colored puzzle pieces with only their color—and in our case, our last name—to bring us together.
But, what better than a sister’s vacation to bridge the age gaps and build some common bonds? And better yet, three days without kids or spouses, an agenda, or internet access. Nothing, as it turns out!
We laughed our way to and from Arizona (sorry for any of you who may have been on our flights). We lounged by the pool. We visited relatives. We ate at Ned’s Krazy Subs twice and had Mexican food three times. We went to the movies. We went to a dinner theatre. We cried at Grandma’s grave. We went down memory lane in the old hood. We took a picture in front of our favorite pomegranate tree. We got pedicures. We ate frozen yoghurt at the same place we used to go to after school more than 20 years ago. Yep! It is still open. We stayed up until 2 a.m. talking and slept in until noon. We got ready in the same bathroom. We took more than 500 pictures and studied them on the flight home to see in what ways we looked alike and different. We were sad to say goodbye.
Growing up and even into my adulthood, I felt so lucky for my wonderful friends. Whenever I found a kindred spirit, I considered myself the most fortunate of all people. But, my Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant—ies made me realize and appreciate the strength in sisterhood and where my real fortune lies.
Posts
September 16, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Ahh I love you Lodi :) I had so much fun on our trip!! Sista vacation 09 is in production so get ready. Ha ha. I'll edit some of those pics of you in your bikini ;)
LOVE YOU THE MOSTEST.
-B
September 16, 2008 at 4:18 AM
What a wonderful post! How I wish I had sisters to vacation with instead of 2 brothers who I hardly speak too.
I can only imagine the fun all you ladies had together! And how great that you get along so well. Your parents must be proud : )
Oh my, the dreaded bikini shot!
Sharon
September 16, 2008 at 5:58 AM
awww Jyl- I LOVED this post and the Pics are GREAT!
Reminds me of a trip my sister,my cousins and I took a few months back to Arizona(Sierra Vista) we had such a good time!
Glad your home safe N sound!
September 16, 2008 at 6:44 AM
Yaaaa! Good for you! I'm so glad you had a great time with the pant-ies! I think it's so cool that you have four sisters - lots of drama, but lots of giggles and fun too!
Mmmmm, mexican sounds good! Even at 8 45:am - maybe I'll have that for lunch - thanks for the idea!
Glad you are back! I missed reading your posts!
September 16, 2008 at 7:38 AM
What a treasure sisters are! I just spent time with my sisters (we even saw Traveling Pants 2) and it was so refreshing, even if we don't agree on some things. Sounds like you had such a fabulous time........
September 16, 2008 at 7:38 AM
my sisters are totally my best friends!! love it!
September 16, 2008 at 7:42 AM
oh, i forgot to thank you for stopping by my blog. i THINK i have been here before for a WordFUL Wednesday...but i am adding you to my google reader so i can come back and soak up more of your bloggy goodness! i love making new blog friends!
September 16, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Sounds like a wonderrul time! Treasure the memories! Melissa
September 16, 2008 at 8:40 AM
aaawwww, what fun..I'm jealous! I want sisters and panties! I'm an only child and this is why I had more than one child myself...
September 16, 2008 at 9:06 AM
It sounds ike ya'll had so much fun! I wish I had sisters to share memories with. Or friends, for that matter. Har-har. It's the sad truth. I'm glad you had a good time.
You have an award waiting for you at my blog.
September 16, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Oh, I'm so sad that I don't have any sisters.
What an awesome time had by all! Good for you!
September 16, 2008 at 9:36 AM
I have two sister and though we couldn't be more different spending time together is great (though I'd be hesitant to vacation with them, as I might kill them)
Hope all your sisters read this post, it's so sweet.
September 16, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Awww, I've always wanted a sister and THIS is why!!
September 16, 2008 at 11:27 AM
I've been cracking up all morning looking over all our pictures! My hubby and kids sure have made me pay for being gone, but it was worth it!!! :) Just kidding--they did great without me and it just proves that some alone time with their dad was a great idea. Reading the other comments truly makes me appreciate my sisters! Love you guys!
September 16, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Sounds SO fun! I just had a girls weekend with my two best friends form college. Politic arguments and all, we had a blast too!
September 16, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Sounds like an incredible trip!! As much as I love my two brothers, I have always wished I had a sister. How great it is that you have that bond!!
September 16, 2008 at 12:01 PM
It's so wonderful that you have sisters who are also such good friends. You are very lucky.
September 16, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Good for you! That sounds like so much fun!
September 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
What a fun time it looks like you all had!
This post makes me really wish I would have had a sister or three.
You are a lucky girl to have such built in best buddies for life!
Thanks for sharing your memories with us. :)
September 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
ARen't you cute? Hardly look like sisters! I love the post. Glad you all got to re-connect, or connect or whatever. Makes me really want to get mine all together...um there are seven of us! And believe me some are MUCH more crazy than I!
September 16, 2008 at 1:18 PM
What a beautiful post! And what a beautiful group of ladies!
September 16, 2008 at 1:55 PM
What a wonderful posting! I enjoyed reading it so much! I do not have sisters but I have a group of gals that are as close to sisters as they can be. They are a blessing to me.
You are so blessed to have those relationships! What a fun trip for you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
-Sandy Toes
September 16, 2008 at 1:55 PM
I am glad you stopped by my blog. I have two sisters and I have to say that sisters are a true blessing. Like yours, we are all very different too. As children (teens) our differences divided us but now those same differences unite us and make it better.
September 16, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Sounds like you all had a blast! A trip to last throught the ages for sure!!
September 16, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Thanks for visiting my world. I love your blog design and this post about sisters is great. I have one brother and we are not close. My husband is an only. So, no sisters for me. I have "sister envy" for sure.
--MomZombie
September 16, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I loved reading this post. It sounds like you had such a good time. :) You are all so lucky to have each other. And I like you even more since you admitted you had Mexican food three times...yummy! My favorite!
Carrie
September 16, 2008 at 3:18 PM
oh u are so lucky to have so many sisters, I always wanted a sister.
September 16, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I have one sister who lives 7 hours away. We enjoy weekend visits now and then but haven't been on a sister vacation together. It's a great idea though!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed yours and will be back!!
September 16, 2008 at 3:21 PM
this is the kind of thing that makes me wish i had sisters... or at least one! i have three brothers, and none of them unfortunately have a sentimental bone in them! at least i have my mom, we are members of the mutual admiration society... yah, we're good for eachother :)
September 16, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Looks like a wonderful trip! There is nothing more fun than getting together with sisters!
September 16, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Sounds like a great trip! How nice to have sisters. I am an only so I have to imagine and find sisterhood among my friends.
September 16, 2008 at 4:37 PM
cute post...you guys are soooo different!! But you're all so fun. It was fun hanging out for a night, you need to stay longer next time. I enjoyed talking to you about blogging, writing and editting!! Fun stuff.
September 16, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Hey Jyl, looks like you had a great time, it was fun to see you guys on Friday nite. You guys all look great! Hopefully we can all keep in touch better through our blogs!!
September 16, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Oh my goodness! What a fabulous trip that must have been. It sounds like you had so much fun! A great trip with wonderful family or freinds is always refreshing and a great way to feel revived. I need to plan a trip! :o)
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog!
September 16, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Oh and don't even tempt me about carrying an 8 x 10 in my purse. I'm thinking...
1. So tempting to do that and what a FAB idea!
2. My purse is TOTALLY big enough for that...
3.I'd always have pics on hand!
If my husband finds out can I blame you? :o) Ha! Ha!
September 16, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Loved your post! I have one brother and no sisters. What a great story of bonding. The adult experiences I think surpass the childhood on a whole different level. So happy for you that you have a family of sisters to love!
September 16, 2008 at 8:19 PM
JYL....your gonna make it BIG...you BLOG so well! I can only hope we steal ya for one SSS
September 16, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Sisters can be a pain, but what would we do without them?? :) Seems like you had a great time on your trip. Thanks for visiting my blog JYL. :)
September 16, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Ahhh, love this post. You have a beautiful family!
September 16, 2008 at 9:41 PM
aw man, that was a sweet post. especially about you visiting you grandmas grave. you and your sisters remind me of my mom and her sisters, except they are all a year apart. They all love far away and get together once a year for a sister reuninion... I am sure it makes for great times. glad you had fun!
September 16, 2008 at 10:08 PM
What a fun and fabulous post! You are blessed girl. And man...y'all's parents made some pretty babies, I just gotta say.
September 16, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Very well said! Thanks for the great weekend and for being an amazing sister to me all these years! I love you lots :)
xoxo
Meli
September 17, 2008 at 3:01 PM
That is so neat... that you had such great quality time together... makes me want to get together with my sis's too. (18 year span between the 3 of us...)
Very pretty bunch of girls!
September 17, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Sounds wonderful! You are so lucky to have sisters, I only have brothers (although I love them!) But obviously you know how lucky you are! : )
Stop by my place to see an "oldie" pic of me & my bros today - it's good for a laugh!
September 17, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Holy comments - you are a very popular blogger overnight! Wow!
:) Great picture of you and your sisters. Love the story about your trip, sounds like you had a great time!
I think it's interesting you span 20 years from oldest to youngest! There's only about 8 years difference between me and my 3 sisters.
September 21, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Looks like a great trip! Sisters are awesome, aren't they?
Thanks for stopping by my blog:-)