I have been sick for four years now. In that time my life and the life of my family has changed drastically. Before I got sick we were an active family…always doing things. Now we have had to sacrifice many things due to my health. I was no longer able to attend school or go out with my friends. My parents had the strain of worry on their minds and had to look to each other for the support that they were not getting from family and friends. They had no time off. I was always there and it was hard for them to leave me. And then there was my sister, Kelly.

     Kelly was eleven years old, a year younger than me, when everything started. Life for her completely turned around. Instead of doing the usual family activities, she was stuck in the house with the rest of us. She had to learn how to occupy herself or else she'd be stuck doing nothing, like the rest of us.

     Kelly gradually, after time, stepped into the role of big sister. This wasn't easy for either of us. Kelly had to grow up quicker than she was ready for and I had to accept the fact that my little sister had to help take care of me. Which wasn't easy because I was supposed to look out and care for her, not the other way around. But over time we both accepted it.

     Kelly also had to give up a lot of things. For one, she wasn't allowed to argue with me. She always had to let me have my way because if I got mad, I got sicker. She had to give up her wants and desires just so that I wouldn't get worse. She has never once complained. I didn't know about this until recently. I always thought that I was just really good at arguing! Guess not! She no longer has to do this because my health has improved some, so I don't always win anymore. You have no idea what a shock it was to lose an argument after winning for years! Now I have to fight to win. Even though I lose sometimes, it's worth it because now I have the strength to fight.

     Kelly does many things for me. My favorite is when she puts me to bed when my parents aren't home. She gives me my meds early. Then after I start to fall asleep on the couch, she walks me to bed. She never forgets to wind up the music box before she closes the door. This is something I will miss when one of us moves out. I dread the time when that will come.

     My sister means the world to me and I couldn't live without her! She takes care of me, she goes out and does things with me, she loves me and she keeps me company. When she isn't home I always, well almost always, miss her. She is a very strong and special person. To be able to care for another is one of the greatest gifts you could have. I only wish there was something I could do to thank her. There are no words to express the way I love her or how much I need her.