When I was 14 years old, I never expected that I would have the chance to be an older sister. At that time, I was the baby of the family and loved the fact that I was the last one to be leaving the house. I had my own room, I didn’t have to share the bathroom with anyone, and I got to roam the house when my parents were out without having to worry about anyone else. But then, after a family trip to Florida, I learned that we would be having a new addition to the family; a new addition in the form of a baby girl.
At first, I was terrified to be an older sister because I had no idea what that meant. How was I supposed to guide someone through life when I was just a kid myself? I was on my own for so long that I didn’t know if I was going to be able to be the best big sister the baby deserved. I asked my friends who had younger siblings for advice and they all told me the same thing: there’s no handbook for being the older sibling. It is all about experience and learning from your mistakes. While that made me feel more afraid about the baby, my parents assured me that I was going to be great for the baby and that I had nothing to worry about.
Now, seven years later, I couldn’t imagine life without my sister, Madison. I’ve learned so much by spending time with her. I’ve learned to not take myself so seriously; I learned to laugh at the smallest things just because I can. Madison has showed me how fun life can be just by lying in the backyard on a sunny day or eating ice cream after getting a boo-boo. Because I am so much older than Madison, I feel like I raised her along with being her sister. I was there when my mom’s water broke and stayed by her side all the way to the hospital. I watched Madison be born into the world and cried the entire time it was happening. I changed her diapers, bathed and fed her, and rocked her to sleep on many occasions. It is because of those experiences that I had to be more mature than what my actual age was. I had to grow up faster but I didn’t mind it because I loved being there for my sister. I loved knowing that she could come to me for anything and I would be there in a heartbeat.
Whether she is being sweet as pie or a giant pain in the butt, I love being Madison’s big sister. She’s the best part of my life; she is the most amazing and kind-hearted kid I’ve ever met and I am lucky to be able to be a part of her life.
