I took a look at how sisters are represented in media, poetry, and literature. Sisterly relationships are basically split into 2 categories: My sister is my best friend, and My sister is my enemy. I found this to be pretty interesting because there aren't a lot of shades of gray represented. The "best friend" stuff was awfully saccharine. The "enemy" stuff seems to be played for laughs more than anything.

This is interesting to me personally because I have two sisters of my own. Sometimes they feel like my best friends, sometimes I get angry at them, but most of the time, my heart isn't brimming or boiling over. If I have to pick a side, I pick Best Friend, but usually I feel somewhere in between. Of course, in between doesn't get you a T-shirt or a TV show.

My Sister is My Best Friend:

"Your sister is the only creature on earth who shares your heritage, history, environment, DNA, bone structure, and contempt for stupid Aunt Gertie."

Linda Sunshine

"Sisters touch your heart in ways no other could. Sisters share... their hopes, their fears, their love, everything they have. Real friendship springs from their special bonds."

Carrie Bagwell

"Is solace anywhere more comforting than that in the arms of a sister"

Alice Walker

"To have a loving relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confident -- it is to have a soulmate for life."

Victoria Secunda

"You can't think how I depend on you, and when you're not there the color goes out of my life."

Virginia Woolf -- to her sister

There is no Friend like a Sister

There's no better friend than a sister -

There's no one more loyal and true . . .

and even when sisters are different . . .

their likeness come shining through!

Perhaps it's a family resemblance

that strengthens the bond they share . . .

or maybe it's just that sisters live life with a similar flair!

A sister remembers your collegehood -

She knows more than you will admit

of times you were Little Miss Perfect . . .

and times you gave others a fit!

She's seen you in some situations

when silence just wouldn't suffice . . .

and managed somehow to get by with those sisterly words of advice!

And when some encouragement's needed . . .

a sister will always be there . . .

to listen . . .

to laugh . . .

or to lean on . . .

to comfort, or simply to care.

There's no one who's more in your corner . . .

and no one you're more grateful to.

There's no better friend than a sister . . .

and no better sister than you.

from "There Is No Friend Like A Sister"

by Mary Engelbreit

 Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship."

Margaret Meed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this video is interesting because of how closely they stand together when they sing. Sisters are best friends!

 

 

 Musical groups with "sister" in the title: Andrews Sisters, Scissor Sisters, Shakespeares Sisters, Pointer Sisters, Twisted Sister, The Boswell Sisters

 

 

 

 

 

My Sister is My Enemy:

"If your sister is in a tearing hurry to go out and cannot catch your eye, she's wearing your best sweater."

Pam Brown

If sisters were free to express how they really feel, parents would hear this: "Give me all the attention and all the toys and send Rebecca to live with Grandma."

Linda Sunshine

Brother and Sister

"Sister, sister, go to bed!

Go and rest your weary head."

Thus the prudent brother said.

'Do you want a battered hide,

Or scratches to your face applied?"

Thus his sister calm replied.

"Sister do not raise my wrath,

I'd make you into mutton broth

As easily as kill a moth!"

The sister raised her beaming eye

And looked on him indignantly

And Sternly answered, "Only try!"

Off to the cook he quickly ran.

"Dear Cook, please lend a frying-pan

To me as quickly as you can."

"And wherefore should I lend it you?"

"The reason, Cook, is plain to view.

I wish to make an Irish stew."

"What meat is in that stew to go?"

"My sister'll be the contents!"

"Oh!"

"You'll lend the pan to me, Cook?"

"No!"

Moral: Never stew your sister.

by Lewis Carroll

This is from the Mickey Mouse Club and stars Jodi Sweeten (from Full House fame, and more recently, drug and hooker fame) and Britney Spears (from...well, you know). I guess Christina Aguliera is also in it, I couldn't pick her out. My sister is my ENEMY!