sisterhood and dreaming

photo by our Target cheerleader and photographer, Chris Sneddon

i've been thinking a lot lately about dreams. In fact, my head has been spinning with them.

Camp SS, reignited my dreaminess….. I feel like my dreams have taken on a whole new life. And the best part .... I am no longer dreaming alone. What I discovered at camp is the power of sisterhood. I have never really experienced anything like it. Suddenly something I thought I didn't need, has become something I can't live without.

I witnessed Camp Sisterhood in so many ways….. 

• I watched as Tracey, Jen and Myriam took the power of their sisterhood and made all kinds of magic. Honestly, you could feel their collective energy. It was beautiful.
• I watched friendships form amongst strangers….big and awesome friendships…. It was beautiful.
• I watched blood sisters share the Camp experience together and admittedly felt a little ache inside…. a little sister longing…. It was beautiful.
• I listened to women share their deepest of deep feelings…. their fears and insecurities… they put them all out there. And as they shared, I felt the deepest connection with them. It was beautiful.
• I discovered that sisterhood is powerful. That when women come together, HUGE things can happen. And my oh my, It was beautiful!

Even the littlest of things become important….in the 'sisterhood'…..

I just have to share a camp side story….

I was so determined to get to Target while in the U.S. We do not have Target in Canada, and I really wanted to go. I mentioned it to Xanthe….and she was completely on board. (no Target's in the UK, either) 
But there were a few obstacles in our way.

We didn't have a car....and even if we did, there was no way I was driving. So we needed a car and a driver.

Camp was busy. There were really only tiny windows of time that all of us could make it work.
We had to time our trip, just right.

But, we were determined not to let these obstacles get in our way.

Chris was completely up for it….and willing to taxi us. Have I thanked you for that Chris? I couldn't believe Chris was willing to take us to Target! She has one right across the street from her house. (seriously, so jealous of Chris. Can you imagine?). Paige had a car and she generously offered it to us. Thank you Paige.

Mission Target, became a bit of camp buzz. As I would move about camp, many lovelies would ask… 'did you get to Target? Seriously, you don't have a Target? You gotta get to Target!!' 

We were on a mission…..

Day one went by, no Target, Day 2… no Target…. Then, oh my gosh…. two lovely sisters came to me….with a Target gift card, the afternoon of day 2. It was the sweetest thing. I just could not believe it. Thank you Jen and Brit. You two are both so darn lovely! Target, had to happen!! After all, I could not use my gift card at home. Right?!

And so, as the days progressed, the urgency to get to Target grew stronger, and, finally, a window for Target-time opened! Oh no… no car!! Paige's car was out and about! What? Seriously.... NO!!? Enter.... beautiful Laura!! She's like, 'I can drive you to Target?' I felt terrible, that this sweet woman would have to leave the wonderful 'camp-bubble' to drive us to Target. But, we had to get there!! And so….off we went! Laura as the driver, Chris as the navigator and photographer….Xanthe and I in the back, bursting to get there!!  

We laughed and skipped and oo'ed and awed.....Oh my gosh… watching Xanthe's Target experience was so much fun! Chris followed along with her PEN, taking photos. Laura, gave us her best Target shopping advice. Xanthe bought the cutest 'jumper'...EVER...and tons of American candy to take home to her beautiful boys. I found several fabulous treasures, including a lovely sweater jumper. Thank you Jen and Brit.

It was a sisterhood moment, FOR SURE! The Target dream became a reality…a lovely camp memory. It all happened because of the sisterhood…cheering us on. I realize now, dreams, both big and small, are so much better when shared with sisters.

Today, I am so grateful to sit here…. now part of a sisterhood… a part of something, I had no idea I was missing.
Here's to shared dreams and sisterhood.

This sisterhood thing is all so new to me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you experienced the sisterhood? Are you longing for it? Have you been part of a sisterhood moment, that has left you wanting more or maybe completely changed? Share with us today.

 It's Friday!!! Hello Canvas is thrilled to celebrate our sisterhood by giving away another free canvas via thier facebook page! Go upload a sisterly photo for your chance to win!

Comments

[Chris]

That trip to "Tah-get" was the best day ever! I will never, ever look at a Target the same way again. I'm so glad I got to be with you for your first excursion to America's favorite store. And yes, "Sisterhood" is pure awesomeness. ;)

[Silvia Soul]

I may sound obvious or boring, but... I experience sisterhood every day, with my actual sister. I couldn't do without using her as my own private, precious mirror. Sometimes she confirms, sometimes she straighten my thoughts. And she's always there for me. I am so grateful for her!
PS: When I look in a mirror, I keep looking for her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51604062@N07/6334521726/

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

Sisterhood is a powerful thing. I'm a bit of a loner so haven't really experienced that where I live but I do have a strong bond with my sister even though she lives in the UK and I'm here in the US.

Loved reading about your 'Target' experience, it must have been so exciting. It's one of my favorite US stores too.

[Valerie]

As a newlywed, I quit my job and moved thousands of miles from home during my second trimester of pregnancy. It was pretty lonely for a while, but finding other mama friends helped. Practicing my photography really helps too. I have a couple of mama friends who also love camera work, so we take our kiddos on adventures and snap lots of images as we go. Talking about what we're doing and sharing tips has made me a better photographer. And we upload our photos to share with each other. So helpful, fun, and satisfying!
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/11/loma-vista-farm-vallejo.html

[Ana Eugenio]

:) I feel I belong to this sisterhood and that enriches my days. this is an amazing place to be a part of and I'm truly gratefull for that. xxo

[Katy]

That was a fantastic post, Kim! The sisterhood that got the 2 of you there sounds so lovely, it makes my heart full to hear all of the wonderful stories that have come out of it. I understand the power & need to get to Target too! My two eldest nieces (8 years between us) do not have one either- one is in Vancouver BC (go Cannucks!) and the other is in Belgium. When they come home, that is the first place that we hit. :-D

[Rebecca]

What a fun story ~ Sounds like it was a fabulous time and certainly makes for wonderful memories....hope one day to be able to participate :-)
Well I'm off....to of all places....TARGET! Wish you could join me and my girl!

[Anita @ GoingalittleCoastal]

Glad you got to get there! I have a strategy when I go. I hit the perimeter first as that is where all the clearance items usually are. It's like a game to me, finding those little red tags!
My own sisters don't live near me. I envy that closeness you found there at camp.

[Laura]

Kim, it was a delight to drive you, Xanthe, and Chris to Target! I honestly can say I haven't had that much fun shopping in years--and I didn't even spend any money! I have a sister and we've NEVER shared that kind of fun, that level of sisterhood as what I experienced at Camp. It was refreshing and wonderful and I hope the feeling I came home with never fades. Thank you for being part of it.

[Libertad Leal]

This is such a sweet story! I lovelovelove Target so I can completely understand why you wanted to go so badly! So glad it happened in such a wonderful way!
On sisterhood, I really don't know what that is like and even then, I have a deep longing for it. I am an only child and if I experienced any kind of 'sisterhood" relationship it was with my cousins and a few friends growing up. However, I moved to The States when I was 20 and have never been able to find my tribe here. It's a little sad. On the bright side, I now have two daughters who absolutely LOVE each other in the most pure and devoted way I have ever seen and it is a complete joy to witness that.

[kristin]

of course i ADORE this post... and funny coincidence or universe timing? another sister and i will be at target today.. we will be sure to snap a fun picture for you .
the community i have met and made through photography has literally saved me during some very dark and lonely times.. and some are my very best real life friends now...
xo

[sarah]

growing up with two brothers i've always always longed for a sister. i eventually gave up on wishing for the blood kind and put my all my hopes in finding that kindred connection through a friend. when i drove away from an annual campout with a couple girl(momma)friends & their daughters i was reminded of that wish & the clear gift of it coming true: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/6082322265/in/photostream
i adore these friends, one old & one new. though they both have blood sisters of their own i almost feel like this is just as sweet if not more since it's chosen.

however, i experience sisterhood the most through my three daughters. watching & being invited into the sisterhood fold.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/6122230315/in/photostream

http://urbanprairieforest.blogspot.com/2009/10/if-youre-friends-with-me-on-facebook.html

that wish has been granted far far far beyond what i could have ever imagined.

[Angie]

Ha Hah! :-D

I love your story, Kim! A world without Target, though? I cannot imagine this. I have always had one right down the street from where I live, no matter where I've lived. In fact, I was just at Target yesterday picking up birthday wrapping paper for my youngest son. I LOVE Target! I think I may take Target for granted sometimes, though. Hmmm... That said, I can only imagine both you and Xanthe being absolutely enthralled with the place and everything in it! Hah! A Target Dream Come True! Yes!

Sisterhood is wonderful, I agree completely. The beauty of women reaching out and sharing their personal space and experiences with others alike is, well, it's beyond wonderful isn't it? I can feel where the events and experiences of Camp taught you all so many wonderful things and, in the end, left everyone involved feeling gently warmed inside.

Lovely post. :)

[Kath]

Oh Kim! Of course you know, we are all about the sisterhood ..... margie and I together always even though we are apart.

http://www.soeursdujour.com

I live just across the border from the U.S. and can go to Target now when I want - it makes my sister jealous!

xoxo

[fotogran]

Kim, did you know there will be 4 Target stores in Winnipeg and one in Brandon in 2013? Target is taking over Zellers and will open 105 outlets across Canada. Hope that doesn't destroy the mystique:)

Loved reading your post. I am lucky to have two actual sisters - we are all seniors now and have never lived more than a ten minute drive away from each other. We are best friends and I don't know what I'd do without them.

[Emma]

Such a sweet pic.

I can't imagine not having a Target! We love our Target here in Aus.

When I think of sisterhood I think of nursing (I was an RN for 14 years up until recently). Nurses are either sticking together or not being very nice to each other, it's the ultimate sisterhood example really, good or bad.

[Chelle]

Kim, I LOVE your story & the picture is perfect for it, so fun, I love all the red!

I have two amazing sisters who I am very blessed to have, they are my best friends, one lives an hours drive & the other two hours drive, when we can, we share the weekends together, I have lots of sisterhood memories with them & I can't imagine life without them.

Since growing in photography I have most definitely found a SISTERHOOD to share with, here on shutter sisters, on flickr & through the ecourses I have done. It is wonderful to feel a part of it & to know that I can come here to share it. I DREAM of creating a community of sisters nearby to go on photo outings together, I see it happening one day but all in the time it's meant to.

http://www.magnetisedbylife.com/2011/11/journey.html

[kelly letky]

You are just so adorable! I am so glad you got to go to Target, which rules. Sisterhood, in all its forms, also rules.

[claudia]

omgoodness, I am so spoiled! "My" Target is only 4 miles from my house -sorry, but I can totally relate and would never want to be with out one. Great post Kim!
Neither would I want to be without my sisters in the Lord, they are such a blessing to me, as are my photog buddies on flickr :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/6333238479/

[Jess]

I loved reading this blog post, and now I can't help but wonder: Was Target all you expected it to be? I'll be up front about this: I'm a total Target-aholic. But often people will tell me they don't 'get' my fascination with it. So I was just wondering what you thought of Target and if it lived up to your expectations.

[Olga]

I'm the only child of my parents so I couldn't experience the joy and the loving bound between sisters but as I'm raising my three beautiful daughters it seems like they really enjoy their precious sisterhood. A threefold blessing just seeing them interact and though they are still quite young, they are always there for each other. I just pray that it will always be like that... Concerning the "Target" theme.... I am so lucky to live here in Pittsburgh, PA temporarily, not to mention that we are just a few minutes from a Target! I love browsing through the islands also and I just discovered that their online order service is excellent also. I hope it's true that Zellers will be gone for good and Target will take over for better. Go Target, go!!!

[Sheila Cain-Sample]

Hi Kim

I haven't chatted with you for a while, you are a busy lady. As I read above we are also suppose to be getting new Target stores around here (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) and I'm so excited, I've heard great things. I loved your 'challenge' of getting there. lol

I too am so fortunate to have a group of creative sisters that support and nurture, what a wondrous thing...I am so grateful to have them in my life. We met mostly through art/craft shows we participated in and friendships began.

Take care Kim

[Gail O]

What a wonderful post Kim....yet it made me yearn even more for my sister, my mentor, my best friend, my shopping buddy who succumbed to cancer at the age of 60. That bond will never be replaced.

[Kia]

What a lovely post, Kim! I am an only child, but I have always wanted a sis (or bro, too). Luckily I had found many wonderful "chosen sisters" (friends) while growing up. Alas, keep moving (from Italy to the US and then Scotland) is not easy, and I miss all my girl-friends so so much! Sure, the phone helps a bit, but it's not the same that being together, in the same room... and bonding with new ladies here is not very easy. The language can be a barrier. I might talk with them, but it's not easy sharing my real and deep feelings in a language that is not "mine".
Anyway, I am enjoying reading through your dreams (thanks so much for sharing them!!) and where you are going with them! Best of luck for every new venture you will start! Hugs!

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