Growing up, I was never alone. When I was younger, a constant voice was in my ear urging me to play outside with her. When I was older, this voice nagged me to go to the mall with her. This voice belongs to my older sister — a voice I never truly appreciated until she left for college.
My mother, an only child, continuously talked about how lucky we were to have each other and how I should appreciate having an older sibling. I used to scoff at her words, only concentrating on how annoyed and frustrated I would get with my sister or how we would bicker over the smallest stuff. I also despised being the younger sibling as our parents or anyone around us would discover comparisons between us, whether they are positive or negative. I wanted to find individuality throughout this inevitable comparison, finding contrasting hobbies and presenting an opposite personality. I told myself I wasn’t like her; I refused to admit we even looked similar or liked the same things. It was hard for me to realize how much my sister impacted me until now.
Now, I will begrudgingly admit how my older sister has paved a path for me throughout my high school career, advising me on what classes I should take or telling me about extracurriculars I should do, including journalism. Watching her viciously work through her junior year gave me an example of the perseverance and grit it takes to succeed in school and has encouraged me to do the same for the past few years. I wouldn’t have been able to arrive where I am today without her. Although being a younger sibling comes with being a shadow of your older sibling, it also comes with the privilege of receiving their knowledge from their years of experience before you.
I now realize my mother, indeed, was correct; having an older sibling is a priceless gift. Someday, it would just be me and her against the world. Having a sibling is unique because they’re someone you will spend your whole life with. Your parents will pass on earlier, and any spouses will come in much later, but your sibling will always be there. It’s funny because having a sibling means unspoken conversations and quiet looks, yet, you’ll know what the other person is thinking. It means splitting meals and desserts and attempting to give your sibling the smaller half. It means staying up until late at night talking about anything. We go to the mall together, get boba and frozen yogurt, and share annoyances over any turmoil at home. I joke about how much we don’t get along — how she is constantly bothering me and annoying me — but, at the end of the day, she’s probably the person I’m closest to in this world. I constantly think about how I hate and love her all at once, but I will always go back to her. I honestly wouldn’t give up our relationship for anything in the world.
We’re growing up. We have already spent most of our time together as siblings when we lived under the same roof. Now, however, I haven’t seen her for weeks. I now come home from school alone. Soon I’ll also be moving across the country this year for college but, despite these miles of separation, I know I’ll always carry her close as her influence is constantly manifesting in my life. The distance doesn’t matter because I will never truly be alone.
Annabel Chia is a senior at Carlmont High School in Belmont. Student News appears in the weekend edition. You can email Student News at news@smdailyjournal.com.
Hi Annabel - I grew up with 6 siblings so you had it easy. Even military boot camp was a picnic compared with having to deal with the ensuing competition for attention and even meal quantity at home. But, as you mentioned, there is an unbreakable band among us. Even though many have now passed and lived in different parts of the world, there was always an immediate understanding when we saw each other again. And as in your case, my older brothers were quite instrumental in shaping my future. Thank you for your acknowledgment of your sister, you are fortunate and it resonates with many.
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(4) comments
Thank you so much for your column! It gave me an extra opportunity to feel gratitude for my older sister with whom I am blessed to be very close.
Hi Annabel - I grew up with 6 siblings so you had it easy. Even military boot camp was a picnic compared with having to deal with the ensuing competition for attention and even meal quantity at home. But, as you mentioned, there is an unbreakable band among us. Even though many have now passed and lived in different parts of the world, there was always an immediate understanding when we saw each other again. And as in your case, my older brothers were quite instrumental in shaping my future. Thank you for your acknowledgment of your sister, you are fortunate and it resonates with many.
Annabel... a beautiful column... thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Your sister will enjoy it, too.
I just had to laugh when I read... "It means splitting meals and desserts and attempting to give your sibling the smaller half." Classic.
Best of luck at college.
Hello Ray,
I always heard that the solution to the dessert problem was “A” cuts the dessert and “B” picks the first piece.
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