There comes a point in your life when you realize you have a reason to be on this earth. When I was 9 years old, I held a newborn for the very first time. Her name was Olivia. She became the apple of my eye and I finally felt like I had a little sister. She was the first little girl I ever started babysitting, and I'm not going to lie, it was stressful. With me being so young and her even younger I was constantly scared I was going to drop and break her like she was a fragile little china doll. But it got easier the more time I spent with her, changing her diapers, feeding her, even cleaning up the puke she just burped up on me. As time went on our bond grew stronger, I practically cried whenever there was a day I'd miss seeing her beautiful face, even when we only lived 500 feet from each other.
A few years later, just before I turned 12, another beautiful baby girl entered my life, Isabella, and at that point I knew my life as an only child was changing as I gained not only one, but two amazing little sisters. I immediately decided to take babysitting classes so I could handle two kids, but who needs classes? Olivia had already prepared me for everything I would encounter with the new baby. Things became a game of double trouble, trying to dress two kids, feed, bathe and put two little girls to bed. The two of them kept me on my toes to the point where I'd be so exhausted, if I fell asleep I would never wake up to hear them cry. The older both girls got, the more fun we could have and the more I appreciated not getting puked or spit on.
Olivia and Bella became my world. I felt like a part of me needed to be their guardian angel, hold them when they cry, keep them away from harmful things and tell them they can't have boyfriends because boys have cooties. We did almost everything together, family dinners, walks to the park. We had many trips to the fair as well as the zoo. Just as sisters would we picked on each other, hit, punched, tripped, the whole nine yards. I'd like to say that is why they are such tough brutes to this day. Rocking out to our favorite song and dancing until we were out of breath. Painting our nails until the fumes got us high and putting on fake tattoos acting like we were punks. I cherished every little second I spent with them like it was my last because I couldn't handle the thought of losing them. Waking up at the crack of dawn to them jumping on my bed screaming "Make us breakfast sissy." Hearing "sissy" or "Emmie" was enough to melt my heart completely. Olivia, Bella and I had an unbreakable bond that most sisters don't have. We never got sick of each other and we never wanted to leave one another side. I long enjoyed the seven years I had with them.
It has been almost three years since we've lived more than just a few feet away. I look at their old house daily, but it reminds me of the good times we had and not the fact that they're not there anymore. I miss seeing their beautiful faces every day. I miss their laughs and their smiles. They will forever be my little sisters and I am truly blessed that I have gotten the opportunity to help raise such beautiful, kind and smart little girls. It's amazing how something so small can change your life forever. To Olivia and Bella. my little girls, my little sisters, I will love you forever and always.
