Big Sister

I was one year old on the day that we met.

We did not know each other yet.

You were five years old.

Little did we know that stories would soon unfold.

Dad always reminds us how when you first saw me,

And realized that I was your baby sister,

You dropped your small lifeless beat-up doll

And went to me because I was the real deal.

You would always want to play with me,

Change my clothes, and feed me my meals.

You are now 10 years old.

As time went by we slowly grew apart.

I remember thinking how all I wanted was to restart.

We would fight, argue, and throw things at each other.

We fought as if we were two street cats,

Fighting to survive,

Not looking out for one another.

You are now fifteen years old.

It has almost been a whole year without dad.

I'm always sad and you are always mad.

But we realized that we needed one another,

Also our big brother and mother.

But all we had was each other.

We are no longer fighting.

We are now two street cats, fighting together,

Looking for a place of our own,

Because “home” did not feel like home.

I'm sorry that you didn't get to live your quinceanera dreams.

I'm sorry that you always had to put on a fake smile for me.

I'm sorry for being so bothersome,

But you were the only one there when I needed someone.

I'm sorry that you had to grow up at such a young age.

You were like a flightless bird trying to escape from your cage.

But I want to thank you for never giving up.

You were always so tough.

I want to thank you for all of the great times too.

Like when we would eat ice cream at the park,

Listening to all of the dog's bark

Until it got dark.

As we walked back home,

I remember that I would always look up at you.

I remember thinking how much I loved you.

You are now 21 years old.

I can't believe how much we have grown.

We are no longer living like two helpless street cats.

We are now pampered cats.

We no longer feel alone,

For we found our way back home.

Now I write to you this poem.

I want to praise you,

Because you are my sister,

And I love you.

I know that sounds kinda vague,

But I don't know what else to say.

I am lucky to call you my sister.

You're beautiful, smart, funny, kind, selfless,

And brave.

Our bond is so strong,

It's impossible to describe.

But we feel it

Within each day.

Now that mom and dad are adopting a baby,

And will soon be married

It is my turn to play the role of

The big sister.

I am always going to be there for him.

His first steps,

his first tanrumpts,

his first visit to the dentist.

I am always going to be there for him,

Just like how you were for me.

I am going to do my best to become

A big sister like you.