It’s hard to go from being an only child to the oldest child, but I wouldn't change a single thing. Being an older sister has taught me so much and made me feel beyond blessed to have the most loving sisters.
I am significantly older than my younger sisters-- 10 and 12 years to be exact. I had grown up as an only child for a decade before my parents decided to have another child. At that time, I didn’t know how to handle the news. It was life-changing to know that I was no longer going to be the center of attention. For all you only-children out there, you know how much attention you get. Now, imagine sharing that attention with a baby. I was excited, for the most part, but I was also sad because my era of reigning was now over.
I will never forget the day that Jazlyn was brought into the world. I was in fifth grade and when I went home, my aunt was waiting for me to give me the news. I remember crying because I was so happy but at the same time so sad; I was no longer mommy’s girl. My aunt and I went to the hospital and I knew the moment I held her that I wouldn’t mind sharing all the attention and love with her.
A few short months later, Mom was pregnant again with another girl. So now, instead of sharing my attention with just one baby, there were going to be two. When Kaylee was born, I was in the sixth grade. I showed up to meet her with paint all over my clothes from art class earlier that day. She was the cutest little munchkin and let me tell you, not much has changed.
It’s so crazy now that they are six and eight years old and growing into actual people with personalities and attitudes. Jazlyn, my first sister, is a huge animal lover with a big, sensitive heart. She plays soccer (and she’s pretty good at it, too.) Kaylee plays soccer too and has a lot of sass, but everyone that meets her falls in love with her.
The hardest part about being away for school is that I can’t watch them grow up every day. Every time I go home to visit them, they are so much bigger than the last time I’ve seen them. They are full of much more knowledge and seem wise beyond their years. I like to listen to their stories and I can honestly say I don’t how to react to some of the things they say. It’s always funny taking them in public because I get a lot of weird looks; people always laugh at the things they say. They are so open minded about things that they just speak whatever comes to them.
Although it is hard to be away from them, I love how excited they get to see me when I go home for break. And even though, at one time, I might have dreaded having sisters for just a minute, they are some of the biggest blessings in my life and I could not imagine not having them around. Quite simply, they are the light of my life and I wish everyone could experience what it is like to have much younger siblings like I do. It’s a lot different than having a brother or sister that is only a few years younger than you and they will definitely keep your life entertaining with all their creativity.
