Sisters.

I just got lost in picture land.It's easy to do, isn't it?I'm a picture person. Always have been. I like to collect them. Scrapbook them. Frame them. Take them. Enjoy them. And revisit them over, and over, and over again.Getting lost in my photo archives tonight while looking for a long-lost cookbook photo, I couldn't help but run across some pictures of my family.Then I ran across this one:And the ache in my heart to see those 'ol sisters of mine nearly was too much to handle. Yes, that's me on the computer. It's how we communicate these days. And how I still can be a semi-part of Friday night family dinners, for at least ten minutes.Being away from them is so difficult. Some days are worse than others. May today was just one of those days.This past week, my oldest sister has been dealing with the loss of her husband's grandmother. When I messaged her to see how she was doing, she responded that dishes and laundry hadn't been touched in four days - nor was there a time on the horizon when it look like they might. More than anything, I just wanted to sprint to the nearest airport, fly home, and help take care of her family.I wanted to do those things for her so she wouldn't have to do them while grieving. I wanted so badly to comfort her and show her love in that way.And I couldn't.Dangit! DANGIT! Dangit, I say!These girls are my very best friends.And they have been for awhile.Guess which one is me?Yep, crazy eyes. You got it.Two weeks from today, I will be home in Washington. I will be attending my first Friday night dinner (in person) in eight months. I have hugged them or squeezed them or had a glass of wine with them IN EIGHT MONTHS, people.Do you live away from family? Are you much more mature and coping better than I am?Good. I am glad at least one of us has it together.Ladies, I love ya and I'll be there soon - don't worry, I'll bring the scrunchie and those killer jean shorts I'm rockin' with me.I'll leave the wedgie at home.