This poem, written in 1993, by my aunt (her other poems are in the blog: “95 and Still Writing” ) to Kay, my mother, is so special. I posted it here in August, but thought that I would add it again…
(They grew up, and continue to live, in New Hampshire. Okie, nicknamed for being born in Okanogan, WA is now 95; Kay, called Funny in the poem, is now 93; and Esther, called Digger in the poem, is now 97. (Note: April 11: Esther had a stroke and passed away this morning….please see the next post, “sisters…….” if you would like to read more thoughts…)
A lovely tribute
to a lifetime of love, friendship and connection
from one sister,Okie…to another, Kay.
Please enjoy “their whispers of long ago years…”
~
And a few photos from those long ago years…
~
Updating to this past summer…
Okie, 95, on the left, and Kay, 93, on the right continue to do well
Esther, 97, the oldest sister, has been well until a few days ago
~
Whether we have sisters or not…
may we all take each others’ hands….
for times of adventure and fun,
perhaps, during times of difficulty,
to listen, to care, to connect and to support…
…sisters, sisters, take my hand…
~
Pocket Perspectives 
So beautiful.
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yes, I think her words are beautiful too… a real tribute to sustaining love and connections.
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Wow, what a touching poem…bonds of pure love only grow stronger…lovely pictures of sisters with very young hearts 🙂
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yes, I find it so touching too…it’s remarkable how deep and strong their love and connection is…they do have such young hearts too. : )
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Beautiful and touching poem filled with love and wonderful memories.
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They’ve had a lifetime of active outdoor adventures!…and they were only 75 and 77 when that was written. They kept going with the travels, hikes, canoeing, skiing, pond weeding and tree transplanting for many years after that…sounds a bit like life in the bogs! : )
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These words are beyond special with their love, memories and wonderful connections. Thank you for sharing. You are such a valuable link to keep their legacy flowing and remembered. What fun to meet “Okie” so very special and talented with her dear words.
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Okie (born in Okanogan Washington, birthname is “Daisy”) and Kay (Funny or Baby) are 2 extraordinarily strong, independent, capable women…(as you saw in “20 steps down the hall”)….it’s nice that the poem shows tenderness too…their parents chose a lifestyle that was more like 19th century farmers/pioneers, not the early 20th century, so they have amazing stories. Okie still thinks clearly, writes poetry and short stories, and keeps up with politics and the happenings in the world.
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I write often about my sisters and I recently wrote an Ode to one of them – http://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/ode-to-a-sister/. Sisters share many of my happiest memories. 🙂
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I’ve enjoyed reading posts where you write about your sisters, but hadn’t seen this one….thank you for linking it….so honest, heartfelt and sincere. You’re very fortunate to have sisters that you continue to connect with.
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what a tremendous bond they share, with memories, with fun and laughter, with sweat and tears, all mixed in. thank you for sharing this with us. i have no sisters biologically, but I like to think I’m a sister to many.
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They do have a wonderfully rich connnection…a very special bond. I have no biological sisters either… And Joss, I have no doubt that your are a wonderful sister to many…. : )
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A bond between two sisters.. special and here their bond has gone further and deeper.
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yes, it’s continued…so strong and so deep….very special.
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What a treasure, what a treasure!!! I’m glad you’ve saved this and chosen to share it with us!
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I think it’s a treasure too…. I’ve been addinga few of Okie’s other poems to a blog I created for doing that… “95 and Still Writing”…she provides a wonderful example for all of us to continue to appreciate, stay active and create… http://poemsbyokie.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/twenty-steps-down-the-hall/
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Oh how wonderful … the bond is clearly displayed along with tenderness and love. This is an endearing tribute and generous treasure. Thank you for sharing, and be sure to let them know what a “hit” they are!!! 🙂 Many blessings to each of you ~~ becca
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It really is a treasure…I didn’t know whether others would be interested in it, but it seems to touch others in a special way. I’ve been telling Okie that others are appreciating her poetry, ( http://poemsbyokie.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/twenty-steps-down-the-hall/ ) but she seems a bit “taken a back” that her writing can be read so far and so wide…the widespread connections through the internet is even astounding to me and more so to her. I think there might be some adjusting in the few days ahead…Esther had a major stroke a few days ago. Okie seems to have a strong perspective, but my mother, Kay, has more difficulty thinking/coping these days and said to Okie, by phone…about Esther not doing well….”but she’s my sister………”…that feeling of wanting family to continue and to always be here with us… Thank you for those blessings.
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This is wonderful . . . and I loved the photos to go with it! Thanks, Kathy. 😀
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Thank you, Nancy. Aren’t those old time photos something?… the bond between them is very deep and special.
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This is so sweet to read of such a lifelong bond and love between sisters. Thank you for sharing this. It warmed my heart.
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It’s remarkable how close they were as kids and continue to be in their 90’s. …as you say, a lifetime bond and love. I’m happy that you felt warmed by the poem and their connections.
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Oh, I take your hand, sister spirit, most gratefully and joyfully and in a state of deep inner peace, just as these three sisters here seem to be doing in that final photograph. What a history of wonder together they shared all those many decades! Rejoicing for them, and for us here as blogging “sisters”, RIGHT NOW!
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Oh, I love your joyful enthusiasm! And thank you for extending your hand with that state of deep inner peace….a kind and loving gesture.
On a sadder note, Esther, the olderst sister, had a stroke a few days ago and just passed away this morning. Okie just called me to let me know. I’ve made a loving little post…honoring Esther…. to update the people who commented here, but can’t post it until I can let my own daughter know….in a few hours when she gets home from work.
Wishing you the best….kathy
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I LOVE this poem!!! God bless you, Sisters!
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