More Than Sisters
2020 was a year full of uncertainty and hurt, but I am so thankful that I had a chance to experience it. Being in quarantine was not how I envisioned spending a part of my year. At times I felt like there was no end in sight. Luckily, I had my three sisters (Claire, Molly, and Maggie) right there with me. In quarantine, I realized that they are more than sisters to me, they are my best friends.
Claire and I have been inseparable since the day I was born. Something really special about us is that we are born on the same day, just four years apart. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like her. Everything Claire did, I did. She was, and still is, my biggest role model. She has the biggest heart and always goes out of her way to make sure everyone is happy. She currently attends school at Purdue University. Claire being so far away from home was really hard for me in the beginning because out of all three of my sisters, she is the one I relate to the most. Claire’s personality brings me happiness because there is no one that understands me like she does.
Molly and I are one year apart in age, so we are very close. Molly and I have very different personalities which lead us to fight a lot. There was a time in our life where we would fight almost every day. It was always over pointless things, but that didn’t matter, we still bickered. As we have grown and matured, the fighting has lessened, and we do everything together. After Claire left, we grew even closer because at the time I knew she was the next to leave for college. Here we are, Molly is in her senior year of high school, and I am already dreading the day we drop her off. Molly and I have created such a strong bond, I cannot imagine life without her.
Maggie is my only little sister, and I adore her, even from the day she was born. She is one of the bravest people I have ever met in my life. Just five days after she was born, she was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder called Isovaleric Academia. Luckily her doctors found that her case is mild, but it is still something she will have for her whole life. Even though she is younger than me, I admire her so much. She has always been there for me and is always someone I can talk to when I am having a bad day. She truly is one of my best friends.
Before the quarantine, I took for granted the love and support all three of them have shown me. Having a lot of time to think and self-reflect was very beneficial for me. I encourage everyone to take time and find the people that bring them happiness. I was lucky enough to have them from the very beginning.
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| Here are all four of us in the Outer Banks. This is pictured in the summer of 2008. |
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| This is all four of us now. This was taken over winter break. From left to right: Molly, Maggie, Claire, Kelly (me) |
Being able to see the positives in quarantine is really helpful and up-lifting. I also have 3 other siblings, so there was never a dull moment at home. I think that in hindsight, it is easy to forget all of the positive memories that were made during quarantining, but they were definitely there. I found that time I would have spent running from school, to practice, to workouts became time that I spent getting to know my siblings. I realized how much they were growing up without me realizing which was difficult for me to admit to. Being at home allowed me to solidify relationships with them which is priceless. I think we can all be thankful for the time that we had to slow down a bit and count our blessings.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that siblings are more than just your brothers or sisters. I have two younger brothers and we get into small meaningless fights, but the love and comfort we provide for one another is irreplaceable. During quarantine, my brothers and I spent everyday going on walks or hikes, spending time by the pool, and staying up late by campfires. I realized I am their older sister and they look up to me, so I need to embrace every moment with them before I leave for college. I wouldn't replace my relationship with my brothers for the world. And like you, I learned I need to savor every last second I have with them because they are my best friends.
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