Sisterhood, Vast and Wide

The good news, beloveds, is that sisterhood includes all who know that the Way of Love is what heals us.

Dearly Beloveds,

As I write this reflection on sisterhood, I sit in the Austin airport awaiting my flight home to Nashville. I traveled to Texas a few days ago to spend time with my dear friend of 20+ years whose father died in June. We gathered at a mutual friend’s home for a few nights away from our normal routines, accepting the gracious invitation to sleep, eat, float in the pool, and simply be.

When we arrived at our friend’s home, we were greeted by a welcome gift, a beautiful charcuterie board, and hand-written notes in which our friend wrote, “Here’s to sisterhood, vast and wide.”

***

Since reading her note, I’ve been thinking more and more about sisterhood—what it means, how it transforms, heals, and empowers, why it’s essential (and always has been) to our lives.

The good news, beloveds, is that sisterhood includes all who know that the Way of Love is what heals us. 

Indeed, sisterhood, as our gracious host said, is vast and wide, like the ocean, like the river, like the universe, like love. Sisterhood connects us to the deeper parts of ourselves, invites us to loosen our grip, asks us to breathe and expand, and shows us that we need not sink or swim but, instead, can float on the water that holds us forever. 

***

The first night of our sister-friend-grief retreat was spent in the pool. We listened to our friend tell us about the night her dad died. We responded when she asked questions. We asked questions and told stories ourselves. We laughed. We cried. We even hummed a song or two. 

The water held it all. The water held us all. 

Dipping under the surface for a final baptism, our friend arose, pushed her hair back, and said, “Do I have mascara all over my face?” 

“A little,” I said, wiping the black streaks from under her eyes. 

Then, we exited the pool, bringing the water with us in our hair, under our eyes, dripping down our backs.

Sisterhood, vast and wide.

***

This week and always, beloveds, I pray for you to know sisterhood, vast and wide. 

That you may know it. That you may be it.

Amen.

With love, 

Claire 

***

UPCOMING TEACHING + EVENTS

I get to teach at West End United Methodist Church here in Nashville in a few weeks! If you’re local and want to join, I’ll be there Wed, October 2, 6 to 7 p.m.

If you’re interested in learning more about women, our stories, and why they matter, let me know! I’d love to work with you!

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