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25 Days of Gratitude: Day 20

I have the best siblings in the world.  Literally.  Although, this post will probably get me in trouble with my older sister. ... She said she can't read my blog at work anymore because it's become too sentimental.  Sorry, Anna, today is no exception (and since I took the weekend off, you probably won't read this until Wednesday or something).


My older brother consistently amazes me.  He is always so down to earth and logical.  I don't think I've ever seen him over react to anything.  For many years I've felt that we had a special bond.  I remember when we were younger, I felt badly that he didn't have a brother.  Even though my mother has told the story that he would pray nightly for a sister when she was pregnant with me, I still felt like I was supposed to be a brother.  So, I tried to be the brother he never had.  I would go outside and "play" football with him and his friends, or I pretended I wanted to be a electrical engineer because he was really good at math and physics and I wanted to be just like him.  And, I still do want to be like him.  My brother is able to make anyone feel at ease, and he always considers each side of every equation before making judgment.  Two things I greatly admire about him.

I have been blessed with two sisters.  And, I am the one in the middle.  I guess I never realized how unique my position was.  I am the link ... at least I felt that way during my teenage years ... linking my older sister to my younger sister through our wide ranges of talents and interests.  I have been able to experience being both a younger sister and an older sister.  So, I feel like I can easily relate to both my sisters.

My older sister has taught me a lot about life and loving others.  There is no one I know who is more loyal than she is to her friends.  If you are lucky enough to be one of her friends, you will be forever because she'll never forget you.  It's a talent I've always wished to have.  My older sister is so loving and thoughtful, and she somehow always remembers when I've said something in a conversation, then she comes back with more information or concern.  My favorite memories of my sister entail sleeping in her bed (or the crack between her bed and the wall ☺) and thinking her radio cord was a snake, shaving for the first time, and trying to hang out with her and her friends.  I was always looking up to her and wanting to be like her without really being like her (intrinsically, that's me ... always adding my own twist to whatever I copy).

My younger sister and I didn't always get along very well when we were younger.  Probably for the same reason I frequently didn't get along with my older sister very well when we were very young: the younger sister was always trying to be like, or be liked by, the older sister.  I have horrible memories of being horrible to my younger sister, just because I was so self-centered.  And, I have such happy memories of not caring what anyone thought about loving my sister (cue: Literary Magazine yearbook photo ... I am hugging my sister ... she was mortified *sorry, Kris*).  As I grew into a more responsible and understanding teenager, I comprehended what an example I could be to my younger sister and really tried to help her and guide her ... only to find out that she didn't need it ... she was already such a wonderful person.  She is so giving of her time and talents to everyone, it always amazes me what she can accomplish when she is determined.  She has a strength all her own, and I esteem that above anything I could have taught her.

I am so grateful for my siblings ... they have taught me so much, and shaped me beyond anything that I think I could have done on my own.  They've always provided a good laugh ("Hey, there's a 'Mood Fart!'" and "Look at all the Confetti!"), shoulders to cry on (or carry me on), and arms to hold me.  Through all of our struggles and discontent, we are there for each other, and I have been greatly blessed by the siblings I have been given.

Comments

Kristina Werner said…
Awwww! *sniff sniff*
Aubrey A said…
It's so funny how hard you fight against your siblings when you're younger. I think about all the wasted time I spent fighting with them now, and it makes me sad. I keep trying to get my children to recognize that, but to no avail. :) It's funny how the tables turn, now my siblings are some of my best friends.

Happy Thanksgiving Hill family! (I know it was yesterday, but better late than never right?)

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