Find a role model

As in every large family, there is always a shining star. Among my three siblings and I, my eldest sister was that star. She always had the outstanding grades, good-natured friends, and mature attitude. Not to mention, she is beautiful. However, being the second-born in my family, my parents wanted me to be just like her. That, of course, didn’t happen. My friends were okay, but not wonderful. Sure my grades were good, but not perfect. Although growing up I felt resentment towards my parents for always comparing me to my sister, I never felt that way towards her.

To this day I’m not quite sure what kept me from hating my sister, but I attribute it to God’s grace. Our relationship as sisters and as friends has blossomed over the years, and it means more to me than anything. I therefore not only believe in having a best friend, but more importantly having a role model.

Only recently did I discover that my sister was truly my role model, but it has been that way since my birth. From clothing style to academic achievements, my sister has set examples in which I’ve always strived to emulate. I’m sure my constant copycatting must have been a nuisance, and at times she used it to her advantage. Once when we were kids she almost convinced me that she was capable of instantly growing. Gullible, yet not stupid, I quickly discovered my mother’s high-heeled shoe hiding behind a chair. But she almost had me!

Older siblings have a frightening amount of power over their younger siblings, and my sister possessed nothing shy of that. Everything she liked, I liked, and everything she disliked, I coincidentally disliked as well. My sister let me, though. She let me mimic and mirror her, but I eventually found my own style and set of beliefs.

It was her junior year of high school when she headed off to boarding school, and I thought my life was over. I was in 7th grade at the time, and I never thought the day would come when I would have to say goodbye to my sister. Home life was a lot different without her being there, and I don’t remember particularly liking it. I went through many trials that year. Emotions I didn’t even know existed swarmed my small, twelve-year-old self, and I felt alone. For the first time in my life I could not lean on my sister; she was no longer available at my beck and call.

Since I have always been extremely independent, life without her should have been easy. My sister, however, is the only person I have ever allowed myself to depend on. But little did I know I was strong enough to stand alone. It is mainly because of her influence I made it through that year. She gave me the encouragement to move on with life and to learn from my mistakes. Her strong mind and determination have always appealed to me, so through her I have learned to never settle for mediocrity.

Even now that my sister and I are on opposite roads in life, she is still my role model. As night and day as we are from one another, her opinion has value to me, and through our conversations and laugher we enrich each other’s lives. I believe having a role model, someone to mentor, guide, and protect, has made my life that much sweeter.