Dear little brother,

I guess I can't refer to you as being "little" anymore. I wanted to write you this letter to tell you a few things I never had the opportunity to tell you in person. Being your older sister, I had always felt that I had to be strong, be brave and be willing to terrify whoever caused you problems. As it turns out, I would have been unable to do any of those things without you teaching me to be strong, to be brave, and to never let someone walk all over me or my family.

Another responsibility of being a big sister is being a role model to you. I wanted to help you through life, letting you learn right and wrong on your own, but also learn from all of the mistakes I made so you didn't make the same ones. I grew up watching over you. It was never "just me." If anything, you were a role model to me. You challenged me, you taught me lifelong lessons, and you never ceased to stand up for me when I needed it the most.

I was, and still am, so proud of you for all of the things you accomplished in your life. You were so smart and I know you would have gone so far in life. You traveled the world, some with me and some with other national leadership groups. You challenged me to be the best I could be and to never stop applying myself to achieve it. By challenging me, you challenged yourself. You sought to know as much knowledge as possible. You genuinely cared for others in a way I'll never forget. That's one thing I miss the most about you.

It is so important for me to have you realize what a special angel you are to me. Every night I am sure to pray for you, and every day I try to never lose my ambition because you taught me to never give up. I am so hurt that you are no longer with us. You taught me so many things to abide by in life, and you are no longer here to guide me and allow me to watch you grow. I wanted to see you graduate high school, graduate college, get married, have children, get fired from a job, find a new job and so forth. I wanted to be by your side through your entire life and I wish so badly you had not decided to leave us. Your life was so new and fresh at sixteen, I just wish you had sought help in me.

You will forever be my best friend and I feel humbled and blessed to have you by my side as my protector for the rest of my life. I can't wait for us to meet again. I love you.

Love, 

Your big sis