How does one begin to explain the impact someone has had on their life?
Is it the vivid memories one has to share? Or maybe it is in those quiet moments of reflection throughout one’s day? Either way, I do not believe one is able to expound on the vast amount of appreciation they have for someone else through mere words, but I am here today to try.
It was 1994 when this young lady was born, I was nowhere in the picture quite yet, but as time would soon permit I arrived. From the very second she saw my chubby face, there was no doubt in her mind that I would be her first best-friend. As we grew together, learning from one another, pushing one another to be better, I would take for granted just how much she meant to me. I always envied her because I felt I lived in the shadow she casted but I’d get over it soon enough. There were many arguments, countless blows, and many hate filled conversations that would take place throughout our youth. For some reason I just could not seem to figure out why she bothered me so much. She had all of the friends, the attention, and the fun while I sat and studied, trying my best to be my own man. Then I realized, it was only because she loved me so much.
It was not until our teenage years that our relationship began to blossom. I had finally begun to find my own identity, and I also began seeing her for who she truly was, my rock. Once we realized how much we loved one another, there was absolutely nothing you could say to tear us apart, I mean nothing. I would fight for her just as she would fight for me, and if need be we would fight together. We both conquered our necessary arenas in life, hers being athletics and mine being education, it was a match made in heaven. But as time would soon have it, we would be separated. August of 2012, the sun was shining, spirits were high, and excitement was in the air. As she began preparing for her next phase in life, I was not ready to let her go. As proud of her as I was, the relationship we had began building was still so new. Seeing her off to college was singlehandedly the most life changing experience. So many doubted her, told her she was not good enough, and even tried to wish death upon her. But she made it. My sister Sierra, made it. And because of her hard work and dedication, I stand here today beyond proud, beyond grateful, and beyond amazed for the fantastic and dedicated woman that God placed in my life. Without her continuous motivation, belief, and love I would have given up on myself many times, but seeing her push past the negativity and go after her dreams has given me the strength to realize my own. Today I tribute a diamond in the rough.
