Growing up, my big sister Shelby and I spent many Saturday afternoons on the living room floor in front of a Disney animation. We are only two years apart, and our title of sisters has always been flexible. As kids, we were also playmates and friends. But whenever Disney’s Pocahontas was rolling in the VHS player, we became something even greater: Pocahontas and John Smith.
Guess who got to be John Smith.
Now some may claim that Shelby fooled my three-year-old self into playing the icky boy role so that she could play the coveted role of the Indian princess in our living room reenactments. In my sister’s defense, I reject such suggestions. She was obviously a five-year-old prodigy of psychology and was assigning roles based on which was most appropriate for our personalities.
Let’s observe the evidence.
1. Whenever I think I own whatever land I land on, she has no problem telling me that I don’t know.
In prime older-sibling fashion, she's never had any problem taking me down a notch by immediately informing me I'm wrong whenever I act like a know-it-all.
2. She’s always been the epic peacemaker.
When she first left for college, it felt like our family ecosystem was out of whack. Nobody was there to pacify arguments over the dinner table. She’s always ready to defend who she cares about, comfort whoever is hurting, and act as the bridge between the people who are arguing.
3. I’ve always been the master of sarcastic remarks.
I never turn down an opportunity to distribute a little sarcasm to balance out Shelby’s sweetness.
4. She would totally visit me if Indians arrested me.
Shelby’s the kind of person who stays faithful to you even when things don’t go according to plan.
5. I’ve always been the exciting alternative to the boring Kocoums in her life.
I’m always prepared to add some weird adventure into her day. Can’t have her getting too stiffly normal on me.
6. She has always defended me (even when I totally deserved to be punished).
One time when I was eight, I coughed directly in her face in the car. When dad stopped the car to spank me, she cried and begged him not to. That’s sympathetic siblingship if I ever saw it.
7. I always know I can go to her when I need guidance.
In addition to being a faithful listener, she is a trustworthy mentor. It’s hard not to trust somebody that genuine.
Maybe Shelby was a prodigy, maybe she was a manipulative sneak. Either way, I love the memories I have of watching Pocahontas so many times that we can still recite it perfectly today.
So sister, anytime you’re up for it, brush off your moccasins and let’s sing “Just around the Riverbend” until our living room walls are sick of us. I’ll meet you on the couch.
