Thankful Thanksgiving Day 8: My Older Sister

I started this journey into thankfulness with a post on my little sister. It seemed the perfect time since it was her birthday. But today I am going to express my thankfulness for my older sister (and will let them fight it out over who is better).

When we were growing up, the relationship I had with my sister had it’s share of sibling rivalries, fights and attempts to annoy each other. When I was around 4 or so, I even caused her to get stitches when I let go of a swing and it hit her in the head. I have no memory of this incident, except a few vague impressions that might be artificially constructed, so I have no idea if I did it intentionally or by accident. But for the most part, we got along pretty well. Ganging up on our little sister was a favorite past time.

Once she went off to college our relationship improved to the point where I’d called her a friend. When I went to college, I moved into the house she lived in for her last year of Vet school. From there she moved back to our home town and got married. This was only 3 hours away from Gainesville and I would go down to visit.

My sister has always been there for me when I’ve needed her. During that year I lived with her in college was also the year that I suffered a major injury to my eye as a result of a paintball incident (short version, always wear a mask. I didn’t and it cost me an eye). As a result of this injury my eye’s ability to properly regulate itself was destroyed, which resulted in some really high pressures (glaucoma). This was an incredibly painful experience, and it usually manifested itself at 2am or so.

Whenever this would happen, despite working crazy hours on call at the animal hospital, my sister would always take me into the hospital. This occurred far to many times to count over a couple months. When this injury cost me my Naval ROTC scholarship, she was there to help keep my spirits up.

She’s also been there for more run of the mill things. When I met and started dating my wife, my sister was there with some sound advice to help ensure I didn’t scare her away.

Recently, she started her own Vet practice, Healthy Pet Veterinary Services. It hasn’t been easy but she’s gotten it off the ground and is doing quite well. Her determination to pursue her dream of owning her own practice is part of what inspired me to follow mine of being a writer.

I don’t think I’ve ever adequately thanked her for all that she did for me when I was injured. Nor expressed my admiration for the example she’s set. She’s raising two beautiful daughters, running a business and keeping up a good relationship with her husband. And don’t tell him this, but I’m also thankful to her for that. I never had a brother but her husband has become one.

So to my older sister, I am thankful.