Sister Post #2

A note from our eldest, fraternal girl:

"I don’t really know where to start, I’m not one who easily shows/shares her feelings. I tend to keep emotion in. Sometimes I keep it so deep, I can’t find it and that makes life feel easier.

When we first began this journey, I felt like it was my job, as the oldest, to stay strong and show that I was brave and not scared about what life was going to be like after my sister went to “cool kid camp.”(as we jokingly called it)  

I talk to my friends, and I see tears in their eyes, and they say they’re sorry for me. I tried to continue life like normal, but it’s really hard when someone, one of your best friends, your sister, who’s always willing to get up early to go to Starbucks before school, or who will come in and sit in my room (even when I don’t want her to 😊) isn’t here….where she should be.

People feel emotion differently. Sometimes people feel as if they need to be strong for others all the time, but also have to stay strong for themselves so that the focus doesn’t fall on them. Through this experience I’ve realized that it’s ok to show you’re struggling too (even though I’m still figuring out how to do that).

It’s ok to not be okay, because that’s what friends and family are for. They can tell when you just need someone to sit quietly by you. They don’t expect you to “show up” any different than you are. This experience is definitely something I wouldn’t have ever expected for our family. I thought it stories like this were just in movies and books, but sometimes you have to go through hard things to see good and make change.

God puts us through tough experiences to show us how strong we are, even if we don’t realize right away. God showed me how grateful I should be for the people I have by my side. He showed me that even though I don’t show my feelings as much as others, my feelings are still valued. Thank you to everyone who has lended me and my family a helping hand. From flowers to food to hugs, It is all appreciated."

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