Most kids seem to have a roller coaster ride with their siblings. One minute they are hugging their best friend in the world and the next minute it is a match to the death. My sister and I are a good example of this and my kids are no different.

The other day my sister and I were talking and she said it was important for Hope to have a “loving, safe place” in her family. That way when people in the world are unkind, she has a space that is accepting and reassuring. When we were almost finished talking, a lump developed in my throat that garbled my voice as I told her she was my “loving, safe place” and I will be forever grateful.

It’s not always been this way. My sister is five years older so it was different when we played together. A born teacher, she had me in a desk writing my name while other kids ate their crayons. As the years passed parenting brought us together in a special way. I guess kids have a way of doing that. Now when the chips are down and our family really needs support for the first time, I look around and notice some of my true-blue friends and family have left us high and dry. Not my sister.

When we talked about Hope’s transition she listened, she researched, she talked to specialists so se could wrap her head around what was happening. (Did I tell you she was a brainiac too?) My sister has been completely at my side when I’ve needed a friend the most. She’s not let me down, she’s picked me up.