Final Blog Post

 A Letter to my Sister, Tess, About Time. 

Tess, 

I know you don't care about what I have to say much, but if you listen to any advice I give, let it be this: you can't get lost time back. 

I admire the way you can go about life not overthinking every choice you make, because believe me, living like this is exhausting. I think there is a mean between us, though. Someone thoughtful yet decisive with their actions. Someone who can act quickly, but does not act irrationally and still takes consequences into consideration. Someone whose empathy leads them to action. Someone who is empathetic. 

The way you treat people is so important. If you want to spend as much time as possible with the people that you love, then you should treat them in a way that respects them and shows them how much you appreciate them. You can sometimes be mean, but I know you have a heart in there somewhere. You might do things that you regret or treat people in ways you regret. Admit you're wrong. Don't lose time with them over your pride. 

You might not value time with family that much right now-- I didn't when I was in high school-- but that will probably change. There is something special about being around people who know you deeply and who love you anyways. Mom and Dad won't be around forever, and me, you, and Alex will be going our separate ways. Spend time with us while you can. You're going to miss when we used to share a room, or share a bathroom, and could just pop in and annoy each other whenever we wanted. You're going to miss when I used to beg you to braid my hair, cut my hair, and straighten my hair. Basically, you're going to miss doing my hair! I miss you doing my hair. You're going to miss the gentle, warm chaos of the house, with everyone yelling, animals running around, and music playing. Because it doesn't last forever. Even now, when I go home, I know it's just temporary. 

Don't take Mom and Dad for granted. There were a lot of things they could have done differently, but they tried their best and did what they thought was right. We were their first time being parents. (They don't have an excuse for messing up with Alex, though!) Life becomes a lot easier when you give everyone a little grace. Give yourself a little grace, too. I don't think you need to be told that, though. 

Call me sometime. 

Love you, 

Grace


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