Hello, Hello! Sam here!
That's right everybody, another birthday post. Today it's my MIDDLE sister Kassidy's birthday and she is turning SIXTEEN years old! This post is for her.
Well sis, what can I say. Today you
turn sixteen years old. Sometimes I still can’t believe it. In some ways it
feels as if those sixteen years have gone by in the blink of an eye, but in
others it feels as if I’ve known you for much, much longer than that. I
remember back when I first found out I was getting a sister, I was so excited I
think I did a little dance. I had been around for four whole years by myself, a
good run; I was ready for a live-in friend. And then you finally showed up and
I got to be one of the first people to hold you and for the first time I was a
big sister. Back then I didn’t know what that would mean, I just knew that now
there was someone for me to play hide and seek and pretend with. But boy what a
surprise I was in for a few years later when I found out that sometimes little
sisters can be REALLY annoying. They follow you around and steal your toys,
repeat everything you say and try to dress like you and eat like you, and
basically try to become you. Lucky for me that stage only lasted for a little
while and you soon became far too busy becoming yourself to try and become
anyone else.
Right from the start you were a force to be reckoned with. It may have taken you a bit longer to start talking, but once you did you never stopped. You had a legendary temper that still shows itself every once in awhile. But all of this only adds up to the fire that's inside you, a fire that I only wish I possessed.
Kass, there's just so much to be said about you that it's hard to get it all down in one little blog post, but I'm gonna try my very best. You and I are so very different. I like reading and writing. I'm quiet and introspective. I like staying home and reading books in my room on the weekends. You, you hate reading unless it's a particular type of mystery book and you only write when you have to. You're outgoing and extroverted. You love being around people and being out in the world. You are all of the things that I often wish I could be and more. You surprise and inspire me with your depth and compassion for others. You make me proud to be your big sister every single day.
When we were younger mom always seemed to think we needed to match, but soon enough we'd both had enough of that and you were off discovering who you wanted to be when you weren't being my little sister. Whatever shadow there could have been you blew right through it and created one that is much much bigger, believe me. It isn't often that you find an older sibling who looks up to a younger sibling, but I do look up to you. I may make fun of you sometimes or pretend that I don't care, but I am so very proud of everything you've done and continue to do. Some might say that all of these traits are typical of a middle sibling, because they have to fight for attention, but getting attention was never a problem for you. And I know that all of these traits aren't really just middle sibling traits, they're Kassidy traits, because no one does anything quite like you.
Though we still have our fights from time to time I consider myself lucky to have you in my life. You push me to be better without even trying. You make me laugh and you amaze me with your bravery and courage. You make me want to be braver.
I love so many things about you, even the things that may sometimes annoy me. I love that we can share things with each other, especially secrets. I love that there are things you will only talk with me about. I love our many, many inside jokes...potato. I love your laugh and how we can laugh at the same things. I love it when we go to movies together, just the two of us. I love your honesty, even if it can sometimes be brutal, you tell it like it is. I love your confidence, mostly because it is something I wish I had. I love that your first word as a baby was "sissy." I love your secret love for basically all furry creatures. I love that we're so different. I love how you're always dancing, even when there's no music. I love your gigantic heart. I love your surprising patience, both with Emily and sometimes with me. I love the woman that you are becoming and how we are more than just sisters, but friends too.
The relationship you and I have is a special one. We may push each other and we may have our arguments, but in the end we always have each other's backs, no matter what. You and Emily are the only two people on the planet who have lived where I've lived, who know how crazy our family can be, and who (besides our parents) have been there for me in every single accomplishment I've ever had. We may frustrate each other like crazy sometimes, but the three of us will always be sisters and I will always be thankful for that.
Here's your poem. Again, it's a little rough, but I hope you like it. I wrote it after I listened to Sarah Kay's poem, "Brother."
Spotlight
Little
sister, before you came along there were only three,
Dad, Mom, and me, the little girl with big eyes to take in the world.
You let me have four whole years to myself, to let me grow,
so I could soak up all the attention like a sponge.
But then it was your turn. And boy was it.
You danced your way into our world with your happy feet, and everything
changed.
But I didn’t mind. You were so small, didn’t take up much space,
and I was willing to share.
For a long time, you didn’t speak and mom and dad worried,
but I knew. I knew you’d talk when you had something to say.
And once you started you never stopped.
You are the spinning top in a world that tries to stand still,
never
worrying whether or not the ground will catch you when you fall.
You keep us on our toes. You keep us honest.
Little sister, you keep me going.
And going and going and going.
You don’t look at the world as anything other than your dance floor, your
stage.
And I like that about you, I like it
because it is so much the opposite of me.
You have a big temper, but an even bigger heart, and you only cry when you’re
alone.
You have a secret soft spot for anything with fur or feathers.
You’re good at math and you don’t like to read and you never remember to turn
off the lights,
you don’t even like sweet tea!
But I love you anyway.
I love you for all of the things you are and aren’t,
and for all of things you’ve ever been or will be.
You, little sister, will do great big things because for such a small girl,
you have some great big dreams.
So don’t you ever second guess yourself, not that you would,
and don’t you ever stop dancing to the music in your head.
I may have come first, but you, you stole the show.
And that’s okay, you can have it,
the spotlight was meant to be yours all along.
^You being you.
I think out of every quote I've ever heard there is only one that truly describes our relationship perfectly. The quote is from spoken word poet Sarah Kay and it goes like this... “There are so many things I would tell you if I thought that you would listen, and so many more you’d tell me if you believed I would understand. I hope you know you were never meant to wear this shadow.”
And I hope you do know sis, that whatever shadow you think you might be wearing, it could never compare to the gigantic one that is all your own. No one's shadow, and especially not mine, could ever overshadow the true amazingness that is you.
You are one of my very best friends, whether you know it or not, and you and Emily are two of the brightest spots in my life. I will always be there to listen when you have something to say and even though we may be very different I will always try and understand anything you are willing to share. I will stand behind you no matter where you end up or who you become. You are one of the most beautiful, bright, noble, brave, talented, and wonderful people I know and I will always be so very proud to call you my sister. I always say that I was the trial run and you and Emily are where mom and dad really got it right, and I have faith that no matter what you decide to do, you'll do it with compassion and a style that is all your own. I'm excited to see what an amazing life you'll have, since the one you have now is already pretty exciting, and what you'll do with all the talent and personality you've been given. Thanks for being so very different from me and for showing Emily and I what it really means to be brave. I hope you have the most wonderful sweet sixteen because you certainly deserve it. Happy Birthday, little sis. Love you always and forever.
Love & Chaos,
Sam
P.S. THREE DAYS!
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