I love this quote from an article I read this morning by Sharon Eubanks titled "A Letter to a Single Sister":
“For me, Christmas morning emphasizes my singleness like no other time. The temptation is to allow my “category” to be an excuse to be sad or to never take initiative. Once I started hosting Christmas and planning family events, it made a difference in how I felt and how I was viewed in my family.The change reminded me that family isn’t only being a spouse and a parent. There are things I can do as an aunt that a parent cannot do, and I try to be aware and perform those well. Being a good sibling, daughter, granddaughter, and aunt are not throwaway roles. They are sacred. You and I have much to contribute; and we will be held accountable.
Fitting into a Church focused on family can also be challenging. But the reality is that a majority of Church members do not live in perfect family situations. I’m not sure anyone lives in that perfect, ideal family. So why keep the emphasis? Because family is our destiny, and we are on this earth to learn the skills of strong family relationships, no matter what our own situation is.”
I can add my own personal witness to this wise statement by Sharon Eubanks.
Hosting family events is very important as a single woman. Most recently I got to plan a Gender Reveal party for my awesome brother and sister-in-law.
Yesterday I attended my nieces fourth birthday party. It was unicorn themed and she told us we could dress up or not. As a gift I have offered her a play date, an afternoon of doing anything she wants. One of my suggestions was going to Mt. Playmore. She said to me, “you have enough money to go to Mount Playmore? Wow!” My role as an aunt is definitely not throwaway.
I am "Tia Tamara" to friends children and get to attend their life events. Faith made me so proud doing cross country this year. She learned she can do hard things!
Also yesterday I went to the Texas Longhorn football game with my mom. It was her first Game at the stadium since she broke her leg back in July.  with my dad’s injured back, and my mom’s ankle still healing, my parents offered me the tickets, but my mom was the person I wanted to go with the most. I knew that she could physically handle the walk from the parking garage and going up the steps, she just needed some  encouragement. It’s a beautiful thing to be an adult and to have your mom as your best friend. 
This summer I took a friends daughters to Whataburger so they could experience fast food burgers. That's right, not a lot of fast food has been experienced in their lives, it was a blast!
And here I am helping a friend build shelves in her new home!
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we "minister" to "sisters" in our congregation. Ministering is building relationships. I have become friends with a sweet sister who is blind. My companion to minister to this sister made a sensory birthday card for Eartha to feel to help her "see" how much we love her.
I have a very fulfilling role as a SISTER. This week I shared a homemade potato soup with my brother and he and I caught up on a few hours of a TV show we like together. Earlier this year my brothers, dad, and I attended College Game Day at University of Texas at Austin.
Once more, Sharon Eubanks said,
"But the reality is that a majority of Church members do not live in perfect family situations. I’m not sure anyone lives in that perfect, ideal family. So why keep the emphasis? Because family is our destiny, and we are on this earth to learn the skills of strong family relationships, no matter what our own situation is."
I may not have the title of wife and mother, but I am not without family relationships. Family is not only my destiny, but family is the most important part of my current life status. Family in many forms, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. I would welcome the title of wife and mother some day. I’m may be single and 39, and a member of a church where many are confused as to my lack of husband and children, but my life is enough and more!
