Dear Brother and Sisters,

My whole life, I have lived with the intent of embarrassing you, telling you what to do, and sometimes even punching you in the leg for no apparent reason. I have told on you, read your diary, and purposely never let you win. I have kept things from you that I did not want you to see or hear, and I have also told you lies.

Here’s the thing, though, I did all of that for a reason. I got you in trouble for your grades because I have always wanted you to excel. I tried to force you to play sports because I wanted my little siblings to be just like me. The things that I hide from your eyes and ears, that is because I want you to remain innocent and hidden from the harsh realities of the world. Some things you are better off not knowing. I read your diary or journal because I just wanted to know what was going on inside of your little mind.

You have annoyed me to no end, got me in trouble, and made me stay in babysitting instead of having fun with my friends. You’ve used my things - and eaten my candy, too. You have gotten angry with me many times and probably wished you had a different sister. You have argued with me, and always swore that I was out to get you.

At the same time, you taught me a lot. You taught me that I don’t always have to win and that life isn’t always competition; it is all the little things in between. You taught me that your eyes are always watching. You taught me that even if I read your diary, or told your secrets, there’s room in your heart for forgiveness. You taught me that a few hours of playing pretend will never hurt, no matter how old you are. In a situation where I was forced to grow up, you helped me feel like the kid I was supposed to be. You have shown me what it means to care and the times where you knew I wouldn’t want to play with you, you offered anyway.

I hope you come to me, I hope you ask me for advice even if it is difficult or embarrassing. I hope that when you think that you have nowhere to turn, you look up and realize that I am standing right in front of you. I hope you know that I will never judge you (my opinion of you was formed long ago). I hope you remember that you are human, and we make mistakes, but that you persevere through adversities.

When I get to where I am going, and think about what I have accomplished, I have you to thank. Thank you for motivating me to be the best sister possible. Thank you for watching, because then I know that I must influence you well. I hope you have watched my mistakes, but embraced and learned from them just as I have, and will continue to do so. So when you get to where you are going, I hope you don’t stop. Keep going, and keep achieving; this world has no limits for you.