Beep. Beep. Beep.
Blaring fluorescent lights. The steady smell of hand sanitizer and clean air. A room with a bed and a small cradle. In the cradle lies a baby with red cheeks
and black hair, fast asleep.
This is the first memory I remember clearly: the day my sister was born.
My sister Joanna and I are six years apart. Throughout the past 10 years, we’ve had our ups and downs, the usual sibling bickering and disagreements.
However, I’ll never forget how she’s changed me to become the person I am today.
I was an only child for six years and the first grandchild from both sides of my family. I didn’t have to share anything, and I got all the attention.
Having everything to myself also meant that I was alone. Yes, I had close friends who I loved very much, but they had siblings as well. I didn’t have anyone that could fill the hole of a sibling, someone who’s always there that I could spend my days with.
Six years later, on my birthday when my mom was pregnant, I wished for a little sister. Nothing wrong with a brother, but I just really wanted a sister.
One month later, my wish came true.
From the moment I saw her kicking off her blanket in the cradle, I knew I wanted to protect her and love her forever.
As she grew older, I realized I learned more from her than I taught her. I learned to be empathic and patient. She showed me the importance of thinking before speaking and being sensitive to others’ feelings. Caring for her helped me be a better person.
Since, I’ve learned to share my things, food and time. It’s not bad because we get to enjoy it together.
As we grew older, we moved from India to the United States in 2017. That was a huge change that we both had to go through. New school, new friends, new language.
We both powered through, with me in the third grade and her in preschool.
As she grows into her pre-teen years, I couldn’t be more proud of her and the person she is becoming.
Since it’s the season of Thanksgiving. I want to say how thankful I am to have you as my sister, Jonu.
I love you always – ചേച്ചി (older sister).
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