Every day, I see pairs of sisters. Sometimes they are middle-aged, sometimes they are our age, and sometimes they are as little as can be. It doesn’t matter how old they are, I hear my own voice in the voice of every big sister I encounter. I can hear myself saying those words to you. Since I left for college, we don’t have as much time to talk as we used to, and I have some things I want to say, and I think you need to hear.
I am sorry I am so hard on you, but I am because I love you. I want you to do the absolute best you can do, and be the absolute best you can be. I want you to be better than I ever was at your age, and better than I am now. I believe in you, probably more than you believe in yourself, and that’s why I'm so hard on you. I don’t think you see how great you are, and sometimes it’s frustrating to look at you and know that you don’t see what I see. You have such a bright future, and by being hard on you, I hope to motivate you to do even better. You can move mountains, you just have to put your mind to it.
I know it may not seem like it all the time, but I miss you so much when I’m at school. You are by far the funniest person I know; you can crack me up with just a look. When I’m at school, I miss your sense of humor and the sound of you laughing with me. I hear jokes in my head that I can’t say out loud because you would be the only person to understand it. I tell stories you would love, but nobody else laughs at. I have the loneliest living room dance parties. I reference movies people have never seen. So although I may not always have time to FaceTime or talk on the phone, I feel your lack of presence, and you are always on my mind.
It is important to me that you be better equipped for the next part of your life than I was. Firstly, people will come in and out of your life, and that’s okay. Not everyone you meet is meant to be in your life forever. Some people are there for a short period of time, and can make a huge impact, and some people you can meet one day, and have with you for the rest of your life. There is no way of knowing which friends you will have forever, besides time. Time will reveal everything. Even though it is painful, there is nothing wrong with drifting apart from people. I hope that instead of anger, you will find forgiveness in your huge heart, and be filled with happiness and memories of these former friends. Secondly, everything will be alright. You are one of the bravest people I know, and you will be able to handle anything life throws at you, and you will never have to face it alone.
Most importantly, I need you to know that you always have me. You are my best friend. No matter what happens, no matter what you do, I will always love you. I will be here to support you. I will be here to listen to all the stupid stories you can’t tell Mom. I will be just a phone call away if you have trouble settling in when you move away to school, I will be here through every heartbreak, every loss, every celebration. I will be here. I am your friend forever, I am your big sister.
