There's some "simple" moments that make a HUGE impact!! Here's my latest....A couple of days ago I got a call from my sister-in-law Cyndi. That doesn't sound like any big deal. But, this particular phone call was different. Cyndi just wanted to chat. I have to admit that I actually don't know how to chat, especially when it comes to members of my family. No one ever calls me to just "chat". I was so thrown by it. I'd chat for a while and then I'd say, so, what do you need? "Oh, nothing", she'd say, "I just wanted to talk to you." And then she'd ask me a question about what was happening. I was feeling so awkward. What is she calling for...advice, venting, correction??? Finally Cyndi got bored with me and my choppy chatting and we said goodbye. I sat with the phone in my hand, staring at it for a while....What?!?!....She actually really did call to just chat. Since that day, the phone call has never left my mind. I don't think Cyndi knows how much that simple little phone call meant to me....So, I'll blog about it. You see, I don't have a sister. And all my life I've seen my friends hanging out with their sisters, calling just to chat, going shopping together, on and on. I've always longed for that. What would it be like to have such a casual and comfortable relationship? But, it just wasn't in the grand ole eternal plan. And so, I found a peace with it put it aside. I could see that Heavenly Father was blessing me with tons of friends throughout my life and some became like sisters to me for a time. The day after the phone call, I found that I was kind of "weepy"...HA..seriously (and I know I'm pathetic)!! It was almost like this loss that I have felt resurfaced. I am grateful for the time that was spent just chatting. It truly was the best gift!! I would encourage everyone to take some time today to "chat" with a family member...even if they are odd and awkward like me. Let them know they are loved and that talking to them is important to you!! And, thank you Cyndi!!! You're beautiful!
9 comments:
So sweet! I love those "just to chat" phone calls. Time is the greatest gift we can give each other. I'm so glad that you have wonderful family and friends! You are so good at seeing the good in others and finding something to admire in everyone. I love that about you!!
How embarrassing. If I would have known you were going to spotlight my face on your blog I would have sent you one of my modeling pictures :).
You were not akward at all. I love talking to you. Now I really hope we move to Oregon so we can do a girls weekend.
P.S. You will be blessed for living with all those boys. I still can't believe there wasn't one girl in that mix.
Your decorations are so cute!!! Want to travel to Utah and help me decorate mine??? And you have 7 sisters!!! They just took a few years to join the family... :0)
Well Julie...you're not alone in feeling awkward! :) Me too. Seriously...chatting for the sake of chatting (on the phone) is hard for me too. I think that's why I don't call others very often myself. And...I wonder all the time what it would be like to have a friend in a sister. My little sister is sooo much younger than me that I really feel like I'm her YW leader, not really the best-friend sister. I'll admit I've been so jealous of those sister relationships! Brothers just aren't the same, huh. Of course, like Angie said, we sis-in-laws have each other...but honestly, living so far away totally robs us of bonding time! How awesome would it be to have a sis-in-laws weekend or something? You and I have never done anything like that....kinda like Lindsey does with her sisters....that'd be so fun!
I'm reading this as I just got off the phone from "chatting" with Barb. We 'chat' quite a bit. I don't worry about the dishes in the sink, the naked child running around that should already be dressed, the clock ticking by and all the things I should be doing. It's probably taken some time to get into the groove, and there are times that I feel rushed, but that realtionship and bonding time is important and I love that we get to 'chat.' If you're ever in a chatty modd and your 'other sisters' are busy, give me a call. We can chat up a storm. Love you, Jenna
Julie...you rock. Thanks for reminding me of how important it is to just check in on people. I have 7 (did I write that correctly...SEVEN!!) sisters and I don't do a good job just checking in to "chat." You are so loved.
I agree! You are wonderful just to chat with, and Cyndi is wonderful too. If fact I find many "sisters" with my sister-in-laws. Pretty wonderful!
Should I call you for a chat? I love chatting! Sorry I have not looked at your blog in so long. Lots of great entries. I got out of the habit when you stopped for a while back there.
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