We all have that one friend — the one we sometimes wonder if they are OK. By “OK” I mean, are they having a mental break right now or are they just having another "one of their moments?" My youngest sister is one of those people. I often question whether or not she was actually brought here from another planet. She is the complete opposite from me in just about every way possible. We have different dads so she was blessed with the olive-toned skin while I sit here white as a ghost. Also, please do not tell me to go tanning. I will only return looking like 50 shades of red. She has golden brown hair and eyes while I have the blonde hair and light green eyes, just like our mom. See the contrast so far? Remind you — I am only talking about the differences in our appearance thus far.
Now let's talk about our personalities. I think the best way to describe myself is quiet and reserved. My sister on the other hand is probably one of the strangest people you could meet (I say that in the most lovingly sister way possible of course). She is quiet at first, but once you get her talking, you may never get her to stop. Storytelling is one of her favorite activities but beware: She might tell you five more stories by the time it takes her to tell you the main one. Describing it as a “short attention span” does not really cover it.
She is also quite loud. I will be sitting in another room and hear her yelling and cackling at her computer screen, chatting with her friends. With me, people constantly complain they cannot hear me speaking to them. An “inside voice” is not exactly something she has accomplished. I cannot even tell you how many times I have had to ask her to talk a little bit quieter so I can go to sleep. Forget about studying when she is talking to her friends, you might as well give up before starting that.
Going out in public can be quite interesting. I never know how many weird stares we will receive from surrounding groups of people. If she is with you, beware of the random bursts of high pitched screeching as she sees something she loves. Not to mention the on-going “look, look, look” as she tries to get you to notice what she is trying to show you. Sometimes the screeching and “look, look” can be paired with her famous laughing-hyperventilating outbreaks if the subject is good enough. Add this all together put it in a constant loop — I am surprised she has never been put into a mental hospital. She seriously looks like someone going through a mental breakdown.
From the constant banter between topics and the ongoing extravagant hand movements, my sister is not one for public speaking. She would have your mind explode in a matter of minutes. She is quite bright, but trying to get her brain to match up with her mouth is quite complicated. One thing is for sure — she will have you laughing in minutes. When this happens, you will both begin laughing and trying to stop so she can finish what she was trying to say.
In my opinion, she is great at making friends, but have I mentioned that she’s socially awkward? If you recall, I have mentioned she does not stop talking once she starts, her extravagant hand motions can make you wonder if she is having a fit, and she travels off into distant galaxies when telling a ten minute story. Having a simple conversation is not easy for her in the least. As for public speaking, she can either do all the hand movements and bits of banter or she can completely freeze. Let me explain the story of her first day of high-school and the famous “let’s get to know each other” topic. Maybe then you will adore her as much as I do.
We all know those dreaded first days where we have to go around the class, tell our names, and one fact about ourselves. For most of us this is simple. For my sister, not so much. As any of us would, she looked around the class to see how long it would be until it was her turn. With the thought of her having some time, she sat and contemplated what would sound “cool” or what would best suit her. She went through some things like, “My name is Lillyanna Romero and I like to write.” I thought that was pretty good but I guess that was not good enough for her. She continued in her own little world, “Hi, my name is Lilly and my favorite color is blue.” A little less exciting but it would have been fine. On her third attempt, “Hi, my name is…” and there it was, it was finally her turn. She assumed the teacher would go a different way which would have given her more time to think but now she’s on the spot. “Hi, my name is Lilly and I’m socially awkward.” At this part of the story I completely lost it — replaying the story in my head as I pictured the room silent enough to hear a pin drop. I hoped for her sake that everyone laughed, or at least chuckled, but in reality, the whole room was quiet. Her friend just looked at her with that, “what is wrong with you?” look we all give her from time to time. The teacher had nothing better to say than “Oh, hun, I’m sorry for making you talk." This was followed by a chuckle of sympathy as she moved onto the next person.
You probably did not laugh as hard as I did at the time, but that story is the reason for this article. I cannot tell you how many stories similar to that I have heard from her. Out of all her craziness and all the days I wish she would just stop, I have to say I envy her. Out of all the things we have gone through growing up, she has always had a good attitude. She has a way of letting things roll right off her back. It does not matter where she is, she will find a way to remind everyone of exactly who she is; outgoing, loud, quirky, and strange, but nonetheless, full of energy and laughter. It is that very reason why I not only enjoy having her as a sister, but I admire her for everything she is. While there is me who sits quietly and to myself, she dances around and makes it known she is there. We all have that one friend who we just can’t seem to “normalize” but I have to say, I think that’s a good thing. Without these crazy, socially awkward, quirky people in our lives when would we ever laugh? Although they can be a pain, and completely embarrass us from time to time, I say let’s stop trying to normalize them and just embrace them for everything they are. At the end of the day, I believe they all make us a little bit younger — don’t you?
