Sigma Alpha Iota

Summer 2019 22 PAN PIPES SISTERHOOD Submitted by Angie Lewis, Beta Eta Chapter Alumnae Member I'm sure those reading this do not need me to tell you about the bonds of sisterhood and how strong they can be. Many have felt that heartwarming connection when we've stood in a circle, hands-clasped tightly, while singing the Sigma Alpha Iota Chorale, or So Near, So Dear, or any number of other fraternity songs. Many collegiate members think this is unique to the collegiate chapter experience, but I'm here to tell you a story that proves those bonds continue to grow and evolve long aer the memories of graduation have faded. I was initiated into the Beta Eta Chapter at Western Michigan University (WMU) in Febru- ary 1990. e following school year our chapter held two recruitment periods in an attempt to grow our membership. Suffice it to say, it was so successful we almost outgrew the classroom where we held our weekly meetings! But this was a good problem to have because it also meant more sisters to welcome into our midst and more people with whom to experience those SAI connections. And since many of us were still in our early years at the university when we were initiated, and because we also spent so much time together outside of SAI in School of Music ensembles, we quickly became a very tight-knit chapter. en, as so oen happens in life, we found ourselves going our separate ways aer gradua- tion. With the promise to always keep in touch still fresh on our lips, we went off to grad school, or off to our dream jobs, or off to get married and raise babies…all scattered to various points throughout our state, our country, and in some instances, our world. Some joined Alumnae chapters, others did not, but the bonds of sister- hood never truly faded. We stayed in touch as best we could, seeing one another occasionally at football games, or weddings, or baby showers. But it wasn't until the unthinkable occurred that we again came together as one, recalling and relying on those bonds of sisterhood to get us through the tragic death of one of our own from breast cancer. Not only once, but twice in a short period of time. Laura Hesselbacher Lekan had two goals in life (at least according to an old SAI yearbook someone recently dug up): to be "a creative and energetic teacher…and to be a mommy". She had managed to achieve both before she was taken from us in January 2010. When the news broke, most of the sisters from my years at WMU had joined Facebook, so we were able to spread the word fairly quickly. I don't re- member there ever being any real dis- cussion about who would or wouldn't be attending the funeral. ere was no question…if you could come, you would come. So, for the first time in sev- eral years we came together collectively as a chapter to lean on one another as sisters do, to li one other up, to share our memories and our stories, and in the process, to renew our vows to stay in touch. But this time it was differ- ent. is time we knew that tomorrow wasn't a promise, that "next times" are never guaranteed, that we weren't just speaking the words we were supposed to say. is time, we meant it. is was driven home even more so a few years later when we lost another beautiful sister, Michelle Stephenson, to breast cancer in 2014. As we neared the one-year anniversary of Laura's death and funeral in 2011, another sister suggested we all get together in her memory for a day of sisterhood and reminiscing. To make it easier for everyone, she offered up her parent's summer cottage located in central Michigan, so none of us living in the state had to drive more than a couple hours to attend. e first year was such a success that we have now made it an an- nual tradition. Each year we all look forward to this ray of sunshine in the midst of a dreary winter. We bring and eat way more food than we should, we toast the memories of Laura and Mi- chelle, we play games, we laugh, we cry, we talk, but mostly we just let the bonds of sisterhood fill us with so much joy we all leave feeling re- freshed and energized. Granted, the weather has made it a bit challenging at times, and some of us haven't always been able to attend every year, but other years sisters have come from as far away as Florida to attend. is year marked the 10-year anniversary of us getting together, and we were surprised with a Facetime chat with three of our sisters in California who had gotten together at one of their houses for their own mini-reunion. ey plan on making their gathering an annual tradition now, as well. It's unfortunate that a tragedy had to remind us of what we once shared, but we are grateful to Laura for bringing us back together. During my years as an advisor to the collegiate chapter at WMU, I oen reminded the sisters to focus on what's really important during their time in SAI, and I would encourage all of you to do the same. Focus on those bonds of sisterhood, and the love you feel when you're standing in that circle, hands tightly clasped, singing e Lord Bless You and Keep You. And don't wait for a tragedy to get in touch with your fellow alums. Reach out today. You'll be glad you did! The Bonds of Sisterhood

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