My sister Megan has taught me these ten things through out the course of my life whether she meant to or not, i cannot say. But I am definitely thankful that the little girl who's first word was my name, Emma, has become my rock over the years.
1. How to Share (sorta)
When you have a sister you grow up constantly checking the inventory of your room to make sure nothing has been swiped without your knowledge. The amount of fights that arise when your sister gets something that you wanted for Christmas or wears a pair of your jeans without asking is completely ridiculous. But there does come a point when "whats mine is yours" becomes a truth and you basically just have two closets. Can't find anything in your closet that you want to wear? Just pop into your sister's closet, but make sure you ask first unless you are ready for World War III to start.
2. How to be a Confidant
A sister really can be your first best friend and one that you will carry with you throughout your life. She is the first real person you want to tell everything about your entire school day to and also all the crazy details about your first crush that you notice. But she also teaches you how to be a confidant in return.
3. How to Fight and How to Defend
I will be the first one to admit that I have fought my sister in coldblooded ways. When you're angry, words come out more easily that cut deep with your family than anyone else because you're constantly with each other growing up. But I will also be the first to admit that if anyone does anything to hurt my sister, I will be the one to stand up for her and protect her more than anyone else.
4. How to Laugh and How to Cry
A sister is always there to laugh with you until you cry and wipe your tears away when you're in pain. When I'm upset, the first thing I want to do is get a hug from my sister. Because when I'm with her, its okay to cry. She has seen me and been with me in my best times and my worst.
5. How to Love Unconditionally
I grew up with the idea and truth that at the end of the day, your family is sometimes all you've got. A sister is someone that you can and should always love unconditionally because even though you're stuck being their sister either way, there comes a point in your life, if you're close enough, when you choose to keep them in your life forever. It doesn't matter if they make mistakes or if you don't always agree with their beliefs and decisions, it is still unconditional love.
6. How to Grow up and Stay Young
Over time, your interests will change and you will age obviously but when it comes to talking about an old memory from when you were in elementary school and your sister was burping the alphabet at the dinner table, those are the kinds of stories that will keep you young.
7. How to Appreciate Differences
It is crazy how two people from the same two people can be so utterly different. My sister and I are completely different in every way imaginable. Where I am cold, she is warm. Where I am quiet, she is loud. But it is one of the reasons why I appreciate her so much. We balance each other out. I am the yin to her yang.
8. How to have a Best Friend for Life
Friends come and go over time but a sister is a life long friend.
9. How to "Kiss and Make Up"
It is easy to hold grudges but having a sister teaches you that sometimes you have to swallow your pride and admit that you were wrong and vice versa. Nothing is worse than having a fight with someone and then having to see them in your house for days after when you still having gotten to the "make up" part yet.
10. How to be Thankful
Everyday I wake up and I see my sister and I am proud and thankful for her. She was really the first person I had in my life besides my parents and I love her for that.
Sum of the story, a sister can teach you more than just how to blame someone else when your parents find out what you did wrong and how to eat the last cookie in the jar before they get to it.
