To my little sister who is not so little anymore,

I remember when you were small.

6 pounds, that’s all you were. You were a fighter from the day you were born, a survivor.

I remember your first steps.

I watched you climb up the chairs to look at herself in the mirror. I watched you do a headstand to watch TV upside down to see it better. And how you would figure out how to go down the stairs on your own and climb up things to get what you wanted. You were an independent woman from the time you were 1 years old.

I remember the first tantrums.

And boy were they scary. Sometimes I would pretend not to know you in public for that times. Then you learned that that was not the way, and you behaved later on.

I remember the first time I saw you in my clothes

And I yelled at you that they were wearing my clothes, but then you were forgiven when you said you wanted to be just like me. Now you are in the teenage stage where everything I do is old and not cool or as I like to say “hip”.

I remember the first lie you ever told.

How you said that I hit you when I never would lay a hand on you because you are my little sister.

I remember the lessons I gave you.

I remember the teachings I tried to give you on how religion is always important. Also, that you have to be true to yourself before anything. I always even tell you now to always have a backup plan, which does not mean to give up on your dreams. I’m so proud of you of how determined you are to go to college and get scholarships because you know how important that is now.

I remember seeing you in your Quinceañera dress

And remember a little bit of me in you. It is an awakening that you’re not my very little sister anymore. Now you are just my younger sister and not little anymore and that is something I have to repeat to myself constantly. However, you will always be little to me. You will always have someone who watches out for you, but I know with you I always have someone who watches out for me.

Now I have to remember the first leap of faith.

As you go to London and follow your dreams, I have to remember that our dreams have to be bigger than our fears. That I have to learn from you that we must continue life instead of hiding. That we have to know that although there is a lot of chaos and terror in this world, there it is a lot of love as well.

As you take this journey that I know you must take; please keep in mind the lessons that we’ve given you and the steps that have brought you this way. May your love stay abundant and your dreams continue to grow.

To my little sister who is not so little anymore,

From your loving big sister.