Growing up, I was always jealous of my friends who were only children. They didn't have to share their toys or listen to their little siblings cry in the middle of the night. They didn't have to fight over TV channels every Friday night. And they always got all of the toys they wanted and got to go on awesome vacations because they were the only child. Later on in life, though, I came to realize that I liked not being an only child, and that my annoying little sister was the best best gift God had ever given me.
My mom always used to tell me "You're lucky to have a sister. One day, when your parents die, your sister will be the only thing you have, so be thankful for her." I used to think that she was just saying this to get me to stop fighting with my sister. But when my mom's dad died a couple years ago, she told me the same thing. She also explained to me that even though she had two brothers, her grieving experience would've been different with a sister. That's when I really began to realize that she had a point.
Yeah, I have a half-brother and a couple of step-siblings too, but there's still nothing like my sister. Through our parents' divorce, our journeys through the hell that is puberty, and navigating college applications, my sister and I have really been all the other has at numerous points in our life. Sometimes, when I kick her out of my room because I'm tired of hearing her talk, I think about what life would be like without her.
When I was about two or three, I started praying to God to bring me a "sister baby." I guess for some reason, I thought that she would automatically pop out at age three, ready for me to treat her as my personal Barbie doll. Little did I know that she would come out a 10 pound screaming animal! All I wanted to do was set her outside on the porch in the rain. And yes, I actually told my grandmother to put her outside in the rain. But we've all had those moments where we really wish we could just kick our siblings outside in the rain.
As I've grown up with my sister, though, I've realized that she's more a blessing than a curse. Having a sister is like having a built-in best friend and roommate. A sister is someone who will always be there for you no matter what. A sister is there for you to teach about things in life, but to also teach you. When life gets tough, a sister is also a free therapist and a stuffed animal. Your sister is your playmate, your best friend, and your fashion consultant all wrapped up into one. And even on days when you hate her, you still love her. For now, she may just be a scapegoat for when someone forgets to let the dog out, but one day, she'll be your maid of honor. She was there from birth, and she'll be there 'til death. She'll be there when you marry the man of your dreams and when your kids are born. And she'll be right by your side, praying along with you that you have two little girls who grow up to be as close as you are.
So thanks, sis! Thanks for always letting me dress you up and for walking down the stairs to Hilary Duff like you were a model in my fashion show. Thanks for going along with me when we thought dying our hair with Kool-Aid would be a good idea. Thanks for being my maid of honor. Thanks for coming over at the last minute to watch my kids when my husband and I decide to go out and act like teenagers again. Thanks for sticking out horrible family gatherings with me. But most of all, thanks for being my sister!
