Chicken soup for the Sister’s Soul is a collection of stories or personal essays about the unique relationship of sisters. One of many titles in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, I found it to be a book well worth my time. You see, I have sisters and I have raised sisters and although the stories were not about my family, I still felt a connection.

The story that came along with the picture of the preschooler trying to strong arm her defiant little sister to look at the camera is a scene that I know all too well. The older sister, taking on the role of the absolute boss reminded me of my relationship with my older sister. It made me smile

The story about the older sister feeling pressure to be a good role model for her younger sisters came with a reminder of my own daughter. As the oldest and knowing others are looking up to her, she feels responsible for keeping her younger sisters on track. This story hits close to home. It made me smile.

Even with stories that I couldn’t relate to through direct, first hand memories, such as the serious illness or death of a sister, I still thought of my older sister. I truly can not imagine the sense of pain and loss involved. I just know, like the siblings in the stories, that I would be there for my sister and she would be there for me. The bond that you share with your sisters can be strong enough to get you through almost anything.

My own memories are what fueled me to continue picking up the book and taking another glimpse into the lives of various siblings. Their memories nudged my own. I had forgotten about the time, after watching a Dracula movie, my sister had given me one of the crosses she had made out of popsicle sticks to use as protection. I was very touched. However, I was less impressed with how much she was comforted by the fact that in the room we shared, I was closest to the door. That was a long time ago. It made me smile.

By using a collection of stories encompassing a lifetime of experiences, the book manages to capture the essence of sisterhood. There’s a combination of fun times and heartfelt tales, disagreements and special memories – just like a sister’s relationship. I would like to believe that this book will make readers think about their own sisters and the bonds they share. If this happens, then this book is well worth the time for them too.