It is crazy to think that you were seventeen when I was born. Even with the seventeen-year age gap between us, it still seems like we grew up together. I looked through a box of photographs to find one to use for this article, and it was comical to look through all of the old photos. There were pictures of me with all of your friends, and you with all of your friends at my numerous birthday parties. Of course, there were also photographs of me at the skatepark with you.

After spreading the memories out on the living room floor, mom picked up a picture of you and I sitting in the kitchen at the lake house. She said that it was her favorite photograph of us, and it always will be. She also said that the photo showed just how happy you were to have me as a little sister and that you would support me no matter what age I was.

Hans Selye once said, "Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one." Out of all the quotes I have read having to do with positivity, this quote could not describe you better.

I will never forget when I had my accident and you came to the hospital every single day. No matter the time, you would always be there. You were the only person who continued to bring me McDonald's McDoubles every single day, and you were one of the only people who stuck with me through it all. Even when I was moved to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, I could always count on seeing you that week.

That was a period of time in my life where I was depressed, but you always managed to put a smile on everybody's face. You would either wear my helmet and make jokes, or laugh around with the nurses so everybody would lighten up a bit. I am sure that the nurses at both hospitals still remember you to this day.

The walls in my temporary room were covered in your visitor pass photos and notes from you. I still have all of the notes saved from you that were taped onto the walls. They continue to remind me to find the good in everything, no matter the situation.

This past year has been rough on everybody in our family, but you have been the strongest person out of us all. Even before this year, you have always been the strongest and most positive person. It amazes me, along with everybody else, how you can smile through the toughest moments and continue to make jokes as if nothing had ever happened.

I think that you are the only person who will ask somebody if they are hungry when they're crying or ask if they need a drink of some sort.

Last week mom gave you a birthday card even though your birthday is not this month. I had to call her and ask why she would give you a birthday card if it wasn't your birthday. She replied by saying that you deserved every day to be your birthday because of how you have held everybody together these last few months.

Mom couldn't be more spot on; you have held us all together and made the best of every moment. I truly don't know how everybody would have made it through this last year if it wasn't for you.

From me, and everybody else you support: thank you, Chris.