A sister is by definition a female with whom you share at least one parent. But, life has proven to me that a sister is defined by more than genetic composition. I was raised with aunts in my life that in no way shared my blood. The relationships these women shared with my mother provided the foundation upon which my definition of a sister is based. I define a sister has a woman actively present in your life and genuinely concerned about your well-being.

A sister to me is a woman in my life who encourages me to be all that God has created me to be in this life. This woman will communicate with me in truth the things – good, bad, or indifferent—that make me who I am and affect my life. This woman will be a source of strength for me in all things I endeavor to accomplish or face in this life. A woman worthy of being called sister is one who influences me to live a life of respect, integrity, honesty, compassion, determination, and joy. A sister in my life is a woman I can trust with my life and the life of my family. This woman will stand with me through it all. A sister will not leave me, even in the face of death. She will not be afraid to chastise me when I’m wrong, and will not allow jealousy to stop her praise when I’m right. A sister allows me to pour into her life all that God desires for her in whatever fashion He chooses to use me. She shares with me the desire to live a life that causes God’s light to shine through us, and makes other women want to be like us. A sister to me is a part of your spirit and an integral part of your life.

I have encountered a multitude of women throughout my life, and have shared various types of friendships with them. There are a select few of these women that I have had the privilege to call sister, with a certainty that exceeds the use of the term as a simple term of endearment or acknowledgement of a unity based on shared membership in a larger body (i.e. church, women’s group, club, etc.). Those women present in my life today that I confidently call sister are women who have stood with me & held me up through tears, fears, and cheers. These women help sustain me. No matter the time, distance, frequency, or lack thereof between us love remains the same. These women meet my definition of sister in ways that surpass my actual biological sisters. Every woman should be blessed to have a sister in her life like the sisters with whom God blessed me. (written 8-31-2011)

I created a word to clarify my biological sisters from my chosen sisters, and the word is “sistie”. This is a combination of the words bestie (as in best friend) and sister.

Note: The ladies pictured are just a few of the women I proudly call sister.