Only Child.

Some sisters are overrated. I have three. I'm the oldest and because of my family circumstances have always felt responsible for them. For years I dutifully visited them. Even though I live 200+ miles awayAbout 15 years ago I used to wonder why I felt so unsettled after visiting one of them. It got so bad that I'd feel horrible for days. Then following one visit I realise that I didn't like her. Oh the relief I felt admitting it. I stopped going, I stopped ringing as often. She came to my children's weddings, she came to my 60th. We brushed along ok until my dad died. Then her and another sister tried to completely isolate the youngest. I confronted them. They messed up my dads funeral and didn't want me to have his ashes so I could carry out my promise to him to have a catholic blessing. I've never heared from them again. It doesn't even hurt. I do wonder if I would feel guilty if something happens to either of them but I'll have to live with that if it happens. In praise of sisters is my relationship with my youngest sister. She has always been there. She loves my children, I love hers. We cling to each other at times of bereavement. We ring each other almost daily. Somtimes more than once. Our husbands wonder what we talk about. We share big worries and small ones. It's such a comfort to know she will always be there. That we share all these past memories. We have very different tastes in almost every area and yet we are very alike. The best thing though is I trust her implicitly. She always has my best interest at heart. She's a great sister.

Kiora. Your relationship with your youngest sister is exactly the same as mine with my youngest sister.

I am a only child. A sister would be nice but only if they were one that I could get along with, otherwise they may be more trouble than they are worth.

I have 3 daughters and love the fact that they would walk through fire for each other - it is so lovely to see them together.

I'm an only child and so were my parents (though after my dad died i discovered he had 2 half brothers). Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like having a sibling - my sister died before i was born - but I'm quite happy as I am. I've had my ups and downs as we all do in various guises and I'm quite self sufficient and resourceful and don't tend to rely on anyone except myself - much to DHs chagrin at times - and I think being an 'only' has taught me that. I guess there are pluses and minuses on both sides.

I wish I had a sister. My brother disassociated himself with the family 30 years ago, he did not like any of us before that.

However, we have just had a fantastic family lunch with DSs and their families. Very heartwarming to be part of all 3 generations enjoying each other's company. Made my Christmas. x