Sisters

Giggles emerging from the treetops was not an uncommon occurrence on 5th Avenue. Bike Olympics and “Hot Lava” occupied busy little feet, and home-recorded radio shows were accompanied by the electric drum theme song. Quarters and pennies piled in small mounds across the floor, car games galore driving down I-5 to Palm Springs, and drives to Indian Beach just for the sake of taking a drive. While random, and perhaps a tad bit silly, all of these activities have one thing in common: the two blond haired wonders who enjoyed them together.

I grew up desperately wanting an older brother. There was a notion that an older brother would protect me, carrying me way up high on his broad shoulders. He never came, but if I had dropped the stereotypes built so firmly inside me, I’d have seen that I didn’t need a brother—I had an older sister. Holly and I had our moments of persistent bickering, and my ever present ability to nag didn’t help. I’m sad to say I lived up to the little sister role in every way possible—I was a pest, I tattled, I bit and she got in trouble for it, but I also adored her, looked up to her, and wanted to spend every moment knowing she approved of me.

My parents diligently encouraged us to love each other, even on days we wanted nothing more than space. They taught us how to show love in our own ways, how to spend time together enjoying each other’s different interests, and most of all they taught us to never let go.

Holly is my sister, but she is also my friend. I look up to her, I yearn to spend time with her, and I love her. I can remember a time when I confessed a terrible mistake I’d made, and her response was, “It’s going to be okay—I still love you, and I’m here for you.” It is these moments I see the love my parents instilled in us. We’re not tiny girls running around putting on puppet shows anymore, but the bond between us only grows stronger.

I love Holly dearly. I’m not always very good at showing it or even saying it, but I hope she understands that there is a deep longing inside me telling me that part of me exists because of her. She influences me. An older brother could’ve never lived up to Holly. She’s the full package, and I’m so thankful to have her as my older sister.