My Little Sis

My little sister turned 25 this week.  It's hard to believe.  Even though we are not that far apart in age, I have always thought of her as my baby sister, and I have always wanted to protect her and take care of her.  Now she's all grown up and taking care of herself, and truth be told, she's been doing that since she was about 15 (even though she always let me believe that she needed her big sister's advice and help).  That's one of the many great things about Laura--she has always been so mature and yet so humble and childlike at the same time.  She is wise, independent, and confident, and yet she is exceptionally sweet, trusting, and fun.

I was a senior in high school when she was a freshman.  It always made me feel like a million bucks that she wanted to be seen with me.  She would squeal my name and throw her arms around me when she saw me in the hallway, and I remember thinking, "My little sister loves me.  She is proud of me."  That is a good feeling when you are a teenager trying to figure out exactly who you are.

She was just 16 when our mom passed away.  She was the only one of us girls still living at home, and she spent one night of every weekend hanging out with my dad.  No one ever asked her to or expected her to--she just did.  This must have been a sacrifice for a popular high school girl, but she never acted like it was.  They would go on dates to the grocery store.  He called her his "Little Pal."  It seems we all thought of her as our "Little" Laura, even though she's always had wisdom far beyond her years.  She has a talent for making people feel like she needs them when, really, we are the ones who need her.

She still makes me feel like I am cool.  She laughs at my jokes; she brings out an immature side of me that no one else can; she calls me for advice when she is stressed or sad.  She makes me feel so loved, and I love her with every ounce of my heart.  I would do anything for her.

I love you, Little Laura.  Thank you for making my life better for the last 25 years.  I don't know what I would do without you.

xo,
Your Big Sis