To my not so little brother,
I remember when you were born, and how much I wanted you to be a girl. Yet I also remember seeing you for the first time and feeling such love for you- and knowing that no matter what, I would love you more than almost anyone in this world.
You were always a special kid. There isn't a picture of you as a baby where you weren't smiling... your happy, go lucky personality is something that I have always envied (since I got the other side of the gene pool) but it makes you you. You are sweet, sensitive, articulate, and dedicated. Although I sometimes get emotional miss the younger you, I can still see traces of that little boy in the person you are now. Everyone that mom and dad come across shower them with compliments about how well they have raised us, but I truly see you as the better person. You may think differently, but you have a heart of gold, an infectious smile, a work ethic that cannot be rivaled. You have all of the tools for success, and because of the part of the gene pool you received, success is going to come much easier for you than it will for me.
I could sit and be bitter about the fact that I got the anxious disposition and you got mom's personality, but my pride for you overrides that. I am so proud of the young man you have become, and you are going to do so many amazing things with your life. As we have gotten older, you have not only been my brother, you have become one of my best friends. You are a valuable part of my life, and I hope you always remember that. I may have people who I look at as family, but you will always be my one and only little brother.
As you grow up and start getting a taste of the world, I am 110 percent willing to be by your side to assist when needed, but the truth is that you are extremely independent and most likely won't ask for my help with anything that isn't your essays. However, as your big sister, it is my job to impart some wisdom.
Don't let this bitter world change your heart. There are so many things in this world that we see on a daily basis, whether it be on the news or within our friends/family. When people treat us unfairly, when we see more tragic things on the news than happy... it confuses us. It angers us, it makes us unsure of who we are, if being a kind person is even worth it. But it is. I promise you, it is. Kind hearts are what we need in a world that is getting increasingly more chaotic, and you have that kind heart. You have one of the kindest hearts- don't let a world that is less than ideal change who you are, because you are amazing.
Don't Give Up. You are such a hard worker, one of the hardest workers I know. That will serve you so well in life, even though it doesn't seem like it right now. Don't give up on yourself or on your dreams- you will succeed, no matter what you do. Just don't lose faith in who you are, what you can do, and how well you can do it.
Love who you are. You have a rare personality, one that I don't see in a lot of people, yet alone in a lot of young men. Embrace yourself, and the uniqueness that you have. You will come to be grateful for it as you grow.
Let the growth of yourself be a priority. Everything in this life presents us with an opportunity to grow- seek to learn from everything, even the things that are hard. Life is about learning lessons and improving yourself- let yourself learn, let yourself improve.
And most importantly,
Know how much I love and support you.
I don't know how people don't like their siblings. I don't only love you, I also genuinely like you, which says a lot about who you are as a human being. I am always going to be here, as a sister and as a friend, to support you in all of your endeavors. Nothing you can do will ever make me love you any less- I am so extremely proud of the young man you are and look forward to watching that young man succeed in all areas of life. Enjoy these last few years of high school, because one day, you probably will want them back. Live a life where you have no regrets. Have fun, work hard, love people, live with integrity.
I love you forever,
Your big sister
