I can still vaguely remember the day my parents sat my sister, Emily, and I down to give us some exciting news: My mom was having a baby. At the young age of nine, this was pretty exciting, but I did not know that I was in store for a life changing experience. Having a sister ten years younger than me has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Her presence in my life has caused me to have a different outlook on how I do certain things in life.
Being able to see the world through the eyes of a ten-year-old at the age of 20 has taught me a few things.
1. It's okay to not always know what is going on around you.
Being ten years old definitely has its advantages. One of those advantages is not having to worry about every little thing going on around you. You're still young enough to be oblivious to all of the scary things going on in the world, and you're old enough to understand that there are problems going on around you, but you don't know much about those problems. And that's okay. Once you're in the "grown-up world," many of us get caught up in trying to know every little detail about every little event going on around us. Sometimes we just need to step back and look at the world like a ten-year-old.
2. Always be yourself.
No matter how old we are, we are always told to be ourselves. Most times it's harder said than done. But when you're ten? It's easy. You already don't worry about most things going on around you, so what's going to stop you from being yourself?
3. Do whatever makes you happy.
If you want to sit around all day and do nothing, do it. If you want to go out and explore the world. Do it. If you want to do what makes you happy. Do it. My sister, although she can only do so much, is always doing something that makes her happy. Whether it's playing a video game, hula-hooping or just spending time with me or Emily, she's always happy.
4. Keep the people (and things) you love close.
Sometimes you just have to sleep with all of your valuables under your pillow. But no matter what, it is important to maintain relationships. When you're in elementary school, your friends are your entire life. Without them there isn't much excitement. She has taught me the importance of being a good friend and of being a good sister. The moments I spend with her are ones I cherish because I know she won't always be this ten-year-old little girl, but she will always be my little sister.
5. You can never have enough love for people.
Every day, I am amazed by how much of a young lady my sister is becoming. She has made me realize that you can never really have enough love and appreciation for those special people in your life. You never know how much time you'll have with someone, so it's so important to make each moment count.
Some might say that having a sibling that is ten years younger than you is a bother. But I think of it as a blessing. She is in my life to make me a better person and to remind me, and everyone else around her, to live life like a ten-year-old.
