When we were younger, we did not have the good relationship we have now. As babies, we used to fight a lot and arguing about childish things. For example, which of the two was taller and which of the two had more small cars to play with. We were jealous of each other, since she had been telling that our mother loved her more than me.
When I look back, I always remember the worst experience we had. It was our grandmother’s birthday and we were arguing about who was going to give her the present. Finally, after fighting and arguing for a lot of hours, we agreed that I was going to give her the present and my sister the card. But, when the time came, she changed her mind and tried to take from me the present. In result, the present fell from my hands and broke to pieces.
Over the years, as time was passing by, our relationship has changed a lot. As we were getting older, arguments started to disappear and we came closer to each other, when she went to the secondary-school. From that time, we have been thinking more mature and we started having some common interests, such as tennis. Moreover, we started practicing tennis together and this improved our relationship.
Supporting Anorthosis was another reason of coming closer to each other, since we had been going together to the football matches. We were shouting against the referee and we were encouraging our team with many different kinds of songs. Football has expressed our selves and played an important role too for the improvement of our relationship.
As our relationship has changed for the better and we were very close to each other, my sister had to leave from Cyprus, because she had to go to the Greek University for her studies. The night before she left, my sister was downstairs packing her things she was supposed to take with. It was getting late so I sneaked upstairs to go to bed. I brought the card I bought her to my bed to write in it. As soon as I started writing, tears started rolling down my face and I couldn’t stop it. I did not want my sister to see me crying, because I might start a chain reaction. She suddenly came in the room and I pretended to be deep asleep already. I couldn’t let her see me this way. She called my name and asked, ‘Are you awake?’ I did not answer her. Tears were still rolling down my face but I tried to be as quiet as a mouse so she couldn’t know I was crying.
The following morning, it was time to take her to the airport. When it was time to board the plane, we hugged each other like we have never done before. As I embraced my sister tightly, I felt the warmth of her blue pullover wrap over me. We said our goodbyes, but I didn’t cry; I tried to be strong, but I was empty as if something so precious was being taken away from me. My sister and my best friend!
The holiday season has come and gone, however, the Christmas spirit was not present in our home. My mum told me that she felt that something was missing. I knew what she meant; this was our first Christmas without my sister. I did not feel the Christmas spirit at all and felt so empty and alone. I wasn't really looking forward to Christmas this past year. It was so strange that she was not here to prepare and celebrate Christmas with my family and me. We also usually went Christmas shopping together, figuring out what to get our parents and grandma, or we would separate to get each other's presents. She always wrapped my presents separately to make them look like there were more of them, and since my birthday is on New Year's Eve, my birthday present was mixed in with my Christmas present.
Since she moved, we call each other almost every day or e-mail each other whenever we can. She has influenced my life in many ways by giving advice when I had problems with my parents or with relationships with girls and her always encouraged me in everything that I did academically and still does today. We have shared secrets that no one else knew about and spent a lot of quality time together. I am stronger now and can look back at the memories my sister and I have shared. As babies, we did not use to play and be friends but as we got older, our relationship has changed! I am grateful to have an older sister like her because without her I would not be the person I am today.
