Friday, March 27, 2009
18
You're 18 today, and I just can't believe it.
I never got to spend a lot of time with you while you were growing up and there were a lot of reasons for that, of course. The 14 year difference in our ages is one of them.
I always used to think it was cheesy when people would say things like, "it seems like only yesterday when you were just learning to walk and to ride your bike (and all the other things kids do)." But now that I'm older and wiser, I understand it better.
It does seem like only yesterday that I held you for the first time and you puked all over me.
It seems like only yesterday that you declared everything "mine;" everything from the television that resided in your room at age 4, to our little sister.
It seems like only yesterday that I took you with me to run an errand and a lady in the store thought I was lying when I told her you were my brother and not my kid. You refused to call me by name, which did not help prove my case.
It seems like only yesterday that we used to wrestle in the living room at your house, your mom fretting that we were going to hit our heads on the table. I never let you win because I knew there would come a day that I would never beat you at anything again, and I was your sister. I wanted to enjoy victory while it lasted.
And wasn't it just yesterday that you and Lil Sis introduced me to the amazing creation that is Guitar Hero? And I practically mastered it in the first hour?
They say you're an adult now, and technically, that's true. But don't, for a second, think that this means you're grown up. In a couple of months you'll be graduating from high school and going on to college and you're going to learn all sorts stuff and meet people, and somewhere along the way you'll find out what bills are and what it really feels like to have your heart broken and how bad it sucks when your car breaks down and your AAA membership has just expired and you can't get ahold of anyone to come and rescue you.
And, at some point, you'll graduate from college, you'll find a job you like and, with luck, a woman you love. And that's when you'll start to really appreciate what it means to be a grown up. After you take the time to live a little.
And I hope you will live a little. Travel. Eat weird foods and learn Russian just because it's different. Say yes to the opportunities that come your way and say no to drugs and just don't take your life for granted. Everything is laid out before you. You get to choose your path. No one else is going to do it for you, and even if they were willing, you wouldn't really want them to anyway.
In some ways, I envy you. There are things I would do differently if I could go back and choose. But then I'd be a different person with different experiences. Try to live a life free from regret. You won't always make the right choice, but try not to worry too much when you make the wrong ones. There are few mistakes in life that can't be corrected. The most important thing is to learn.
I hope your day is memorable and awesome and I wish you a very happy 18th birthday.
Love,
Your Big (even though, let's face it, you've been taller than me since you were 12) Sis
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How sweet! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Absolutely LOVE it. :)
ReplyDeletei will be saying this about my brother come June. :) they grow up so fast
ReplyDeletesigned,
another big sister
Happy Birthday!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey----I found your blog above my comment on SITS!
ReplyDeleteNice post----it was my son's b-day yesterday, also... How fast they grow.
Visit my blog if you get the time
swaneesinger.blogspot.com
Have a good one!
It seems like just yesterday that you introduced me to the hilarious concept that is the "hot carl!" Happy Birthday Hot Carl Boy!
ReplyDeleteNice letter, I think you gave him some good advice there! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from SITS.