Growing Up...

Tonight, my younger sister, Kayla graduated high school.

Graduation....

It's a mixture of feelings for everyone all at once. There's laughter, tears, smiles, and goodbyes to classmates who you may or may not see again in the future. It's a milestone in this journey we all call life, and an accomplisment that all of us define as success. It's the open door to our next step in life, whether it be college, military life, working relatively close to home, or moving away from home. However, no matter what path we choose, we are deciding to accept the challenges, downfalls, and triumphs that our lives bring us. It's called: Growing Up.

Though the years have passed quickly, and time only seems to progress even faster every day that I'm away from home, I've enjoyed the memories that I've shared with my sister. I'll cherish them forever... It seems like it was only yesterday that my sister and I were playing 'school' and I was teaching her whatever I had learned in school that day. Of course, I always had to be the teacher, since I was the oldest (and the smartest lol). I can remember building teepees in our back yard with our cousins, and playing Barbies for days. We'd literally have one of our rooms transformed into Barbie city by the end of the week, only to clean it up when it was completely finished. I remember playing kickball, baseball, and HotWheel Cars with our neighbors, who were all boys. We also would set up the kitchen like a cafe for lunch, and serve each other food like waitresses. There are soooo many that I could mention, but these are the ones I think that we frequented the most.

Each time we played together, we learned to laugh together, cry together and scheme together. We learned to love each other after a fight, and grow together as we both grew in our own lives. No matter what I was going through, I could count on my sister to be right there with me, and I still can today. We've both grown into two very understanding and mature young ladies, and have a relationship that only a few can understand. We may not get along sometimes, or we may make fun of each other, but that's life and we're only making one another stronger. As I got older, I found that I really did influence and inspire my sister, but as she got older, she did the same for me. I guess that's how sisterhood works sometimes.

I'm very proud of my sister for finishing high school and pursuing college as her next step. I know that whatever she decides to do in life, she'll be great at it, and whoever crosses her path the wrong way better watch out. To my sister, who I love very much:

~You'll do great in life, no matter what you do. Always keep your focus on God's plan for your life, and he'll lead you through it the way it's supposed to go. Be strong and courageous, and don't let anything stop you, ever. I love you.~
-Whitney



P.S. Keep these in mind:

"In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips."  ~Author Unknown 


"The future lies before you
  Like a field of driven snow,
  Be careful how you tread it,
  For every step will show."
 ~Author Unknown


"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do, they'll still be there." ~Amy Li


"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." ~E.E. Cummings


"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." ~1st Timothy 4:12


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11



And last, but not least, Congratulations to all the graduates of 2011. May your dreams come true, and God Bless.

Later.
WA