Hi Neighbor!

I am on a mission. A mission to bring people together. People from my past. People who I may never have thought of again except for that pesky social media phenomenon called Facebook. But hold that thought for a moment.

My mission has led me to a project. A little project I call “One Sister at a Time.” It is a gathering of sorts. A gathering inspired by names that pop up all over my “suggested friends” list on Facebook. Like any good follower, I succumb to the pressure of Facebook and send friend requests to those whose names I recognize. The select few who were once daily occurrences in my life but have now gone on to live out their own extraordinary stories.

What I have gotten in return for my efforts is a group of kind, empathetic, intelligent women as part of my world all over again. Both near and far, accessible, and willing to reconnect. I do feel lucky.

This is how it started…

Back in the early 80s when I was a sophomore in college, I pledged a local sorority. I was “all in,” serving first as a humble pledge and, eventually, a devoted sister. What I took away from this experience was invaluable, but along the way I was able to snag some life-long friends. Roommates, bridesmaids, travel companions, merry mischief-makers. I adore these women who make my life richer.

But there were also those who slipped away after graduation, leaving faded memories in their wake. That is, until the social experiment of Facebook, as mentioned previously, where they once again became attainable.

Throughout the year, I get together with a handful of semi-local sorority sisters. We plan happy hours, lunches, and overnight trips. As my mission to bring more sisters together is always in effect, I have been known to show up at these gatherings with “a surprise guest,” aka a sister we haven’t seen in years. These sisters are always welcomed with open arms, bringing them back to the flock where they belong. Heck, I have even arranged for a sister to fly in from out of state to join us for an epic outing! One sister at a time.

This past week, it happened all over again. Via Facebook, naturally, I saw that a particular sister was in the same sleepy seashore town as me, busy with pre-season prep on her cute cottage for her summer renters. I took a chance, reached out for a breakfast, lunch, or walk, and she said yes.

We spent a few hours reminiscing, catching up, bonding. It really didn’t take much as the love was already there. She quickly filled me in on the last 30-plus years of her life, and with that we already made plans to get together again at the end of the summer. One sister at a time. Yep, pretty much.

Over the years I have scorned social media and its pitfalls. Yes, I realize Facebook is a platform where people show their “happy faces,” the glamorous side of their lives. I am not fooled. Yet it has served its purpose and served me well as I have been able to rediscover missing links in my life. The reconnections are heart-warming and natural, providing another opportunity for sisterhood to shine.

As I literally gather one sister at a time, keep in mind, sometimes you simply must take a chance in life. Take a risk, no matter how small, especially if you think it might improve the quality of your life in some regard. I know these chances, this mission, these sisters, have definitely improved mine.

My mission continues,

Jackie