Bottled Lightning

I do not have a sister. There are women in my life I am especially close to and they know who they are, but I do not suppose it is the same as having a sister. I am fortunate to be blessed with two lovely sisters-in-law (and, truly, I say fortunate because I actually LIKE and love my sisters-in-law, unlike many people I know) but I got to thinking about sisters this past weekend watching my daughter and her cousin, Anya, together.

Anya is newly six and Isabelle will be five in June. Both are darkish blonde, both fair-skinned, both fine-boned and of thinner builds. Both are strong-willed, dramatic, crazy and smart. Both are like bottled lightning, bright, beautiful, and difficult to keep contained for long. My brother and I watched our daughters for three days, holding hands, dressing the same, playing together, having their hair styled the same way, kissing them goodnight in the same bedroom, and laughingly calling them the twins. At one point I saw the girls throw their arms around each others necks while Anya held out a camera in front of their faces to immortalize the moment, and I thought, yes, freeze time right here, would you? It is so near perfect.

I love that they have each other, that somehow my child and my brother's look so similar that people could mistake them for sisters. I love that somehow even though they do not get to see each other more then every few months it seems like we live next door. I do not know what the future holds for their relationship .... the lives of teenage girls are full of many emotions and lots of changes, but I hope that the bond I see forming now between the two of them will somehow continue to thrive. Maybe sisters do not have to come from the same womb after all.

Hey, Hey, Hockeytown!

Just a quick note for you non-hockey people (and how is that possible by the way? I mean, seriously, what is WRONG with you?). My Red Wings managed to pull off an amazing run after the Olympic break and are back in the Playoffs yet again and will be contending for Lord Stanley. Considering their injury-prone season this was no small feat,and I am so proud.

Now we simply await the last couple of games to see who the first round opponent will be, and I will try to contain myself to some degree. For this Wings fan though, I am just happy they are in the playoffs for the 19th consecutive season (the longest run in professional sports). No Fear, No Excuses, No Mercy, No Limits! Go Wings!