My sister Trish and I have not been especially close over the years. In fact, there  was a period of several years where we didn’t even talk and had no idea what was going on in each other’s lives. For some people, that may be hard to imagine. For my family, that is what is has been like.

Trish and I started re-connecting in 2009, and I have to admit, its been nice. We both have experienced major transitions and seemed to need to re-ignite our sisterhood. She has come over a few times,and we have been helping each other out.

We had a New Year’s Day brunch at my place, something I don’t ever remember me and my sister doing. Never! We shared a meal – homemade waffles – and enjoyed hanging out. And we exchanged gifts for the first time in over 20 years.

Trish gave me this stone-ware art piece to hang on my wall. I guess she has figured out that I am into “sayings.” This was perfect. Meaningful! Appropriate!

“It Takes Courage To Grow Up And Become Who You Really Are”

E.E. Cummings

It seems it has taken me and my sister 40- something years to grow up and find the courage to deal with difficult things in our lives. We both have made choices that maybe we were not happy with, and now we are playing out the consequences of those choices. It’s not easy, that’s for sure, but it is easier when you know a family member is rooting for you.

I have found the courage to grow up and start becoming the person I really am. I know I am not there yet. I may not know when I have arrived. But I do know that finally dealing with some of the things I always kept hidden – my stuttering, my feelings, shame about the past, fear for the future – is taking me steps closer to being that person I really am.

And my sister Trish is doing the same thing. Not in exactly the same way, but in her way. She is facing some of her demons, and becoming the person she wants to be. Who knows. Maybe we will both arrive at around the same time and have a celebration.

Do you find it takes courage to grow up and become who you really want to be? Do you know who that is?