Sister Act!

What a GREAT weekend I had!

For the first time ever, my little sister, Christine, came to Toronto to hang out with her 'big sister' and have a 'sister's weekend'.
What's the big deal you may ask? Well, it's not that it was the first time Chris ever came to Toronto....It was, in fact, the first time that we have ever spent time alone together!

WEIRD?

Maybe....I should explain...

Christine and I have the same father, but different mothers - nothing scandalous in this day and age. My father remarried when I was 11...and not long afterwards Christine was born, giving me the little sister I always wished I'd had. (Chris's birth was followed not long afterwards by the birth of Patrick who was the cutest, chubbiest faced little boy ever!) Unfortunately my Dad and his "new family" moved away to Ottawa when I was around 15...and, though we have often spoken on the phone, there has been little actual "in-person-contact" over the years....

FFWD to 2006: I have asked Christine to be one of my bride's maids at the wedding. (Well, truth be told she will be the ONLY maid as Christy Bruce and my sister-in-law are both married, making them MATRONS - a fact I enjoy rubbing Christy's nose in, and have even gone so far as to suggest that she might wear some sort of "MATRONLY" style dress, complete with gunt and saggy breasts. I don't think she's going to comply...which I may throw a hissy fit about because, IT'S MY DAY GODDAMN IT!) So, Christine came to town this past weekend to find a dress (we're all wearing vintage)...and to hang with me, big sister, for the first time ever.

What a TREAT! I was nervous leading up to it, I have to say. I'm 33, Chris is 22....My God, what if I'm not cool?! Well, one thing I can say for certain is that my little sister has enough cool for the entire family! I took her out to brunches and dinners with the gang, (Albert, Derek, Christy & Paul,..even Hashm Nasser made an appearance)...And initially I was concerned. I love my friends to bits...but there is no denying that as a group we are a gregarious bunch who find ourselves infinitely amusing, clever, and hilarious. On more than one occasion I have seen perfectly friendly adults left in the lurch of the overwhelming personalities that make up our gang. Christine more than held her own and gave back just as much sass as she was dealt. I saw her make Albert Howell laugh out loud more than once (no mean feat!) , much to his surprise and enjoyment.

We are similar in many ways, which brought me a strange sense of pride and connection, but she is also so much her own person: confident, funny, open, friendly and positive. A real joy to be around and a very interesting young woman. It was fascinating to hear her speak of our Dad. The man she described was often very different from the father that I know....But then I realised that she has spent more time with him and knows him better. I had a father for 9 years before the divorce, and then a week-end Dad for 6 more...Christine has simply had more exposure. She has left me keen to get to know those other sides of Dad a little better....

I feel so blessed to have a sister in the world. There are many things we didn't get the chance to share growing up on opposite sides of the country, with 11 years separating us....But it's a real treat to be at the threshold of a new relationship now, as adults, when it is our CHOICE and not just a matter of circumstance.

I can't wait to see her at the wedding.
I can't wait to see her for another weekend.
I can't wait...
I have a sister, and that is a GREAT feeling!

;-)