how to support your sister
Start writing a post
Relationships

To The Sister Whose Strength Inspires Me To Be A Better Person Every Day

My sister had to watch the love her life, Robert, fall ill with spinal cancer and become wheelchair-bound.

101
sisters on the beach
Caroline Payne

If I pictured my life without my older sister, I can imagine I'd be more selfish, more fearful and more awkward than I currently am. But most importantly, I'd be a whole lot weaker. My sister, Rachel, is two years and five months older than I am, and she has always been the epitome of success to me. Rachel skipped kindergarten and I always hoped I would be able to skip a grade to catch up to her.

She was valedictorian at her high school, so I challenged myself to be one at my school too. Rachel did not let things get her down: if my parents said she couldn't get her hair cut or dyed, she'd do it herself; when she didn't feel like she belonged at her college in Massachusetts, she took the initiative to transfer herself; if she set her mind to something, she would do it. My sister's obstacles were never ones she would fall down in front of; she worked her butt off to fly above them every time.

A few years ago, my sister had to watch the love her life, Robert, fall ill with spinal cancer and become wheelchair-bound. When his cancer seemingly fell into remission, they found a great life together while she was still in college, with them sharing an apartment together and creating a garden together. Anytime I saw them together, they looked at each other with such love and hope, something that doesn't shine through every relationship.

At such a good point in their relationship, Robert's cancer spread to his brain and he passed away.

This was in the middle of my sister's senior year of college, just a few months before she was meant to move on into adulthood, into a future she had planned with her fiancé. She had been with Robert since her senior year of high school. He had always been a part of her adult life, a fixture in it, despite the fact that he had almost been taken from her even earlier. My sister has had to completely rearrange her plans for the future but she has done it with such hope and intent, even with the thoughts of Robert on her mind.

Rachel is vulnerable enough to know when she can't hold it all in and she allows others to help her when she needs it. But most of the time, she is holding herself up all on her. The grief could've become her undoing, but instead, she allows the memory of Robert to push her to reach for her aspirations and not allow anything to hold her back.

My sister has had obstacle after obstacle but they never define her whole being, only shape her into someone more resilient. And Rachel has been so incredibly strong throughout the past few years and I wish she didn't have to go through such heartache and pain to find out just how strong she is, but I have known my entire life that she is a fighter and does not get crushed under pressure. She is inspired by Robert to keep living life to the fullest and I am inspired by her to fight through the toughest of days to find the great days beyond.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54344
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34972
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957276
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

183011
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments