𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

September 4, 2024

             I started crying, she had pushed through the pain just so I could be alive, breathing. I was an infant, it was her and I against the world, mostly because we created our own. Our world was filled with diverse things, especially dancing, makeup, sleepovers, and laughter. I know she did all those things to make me happy, and she succeeded. It's safe to say that I think she enjoyed it while it lasted. She taught me basic things, like math, that I would need in future classes. We would sit in our living room, the night closing in as I was strictly focused on my homework. "¡No lo entiendo!" I would say, but she was there to help me through my stress, one that felt so real but wasn't an actual worry.

             She also breathed, I wasn't an only child anymore. Now, it wasn't only her and I against everyone, but my sister too. Jealousy, of course, was a constant in my head. But, as my sister grew older, my worries passed, she— my world —had soothed them. Life was getting harder for her, work was catching up and I wouldn't see her as much. Our world was crumbling, no more dancing and barely any laughter. I was patient. I understood. So, I started making my own world, doing the things I like by myself. Even though she couldn't be there as much anymore, she made sure we were well-fed and most importantly, happy and well.

             They closed the door and argued. I had to stay with my sister, be her idol, and remain calm. Now, my world was fully mine, I loved her, but I was too focused on me. She was tired, I could tell, I was too. But despite our worlds being miles apart, I still loved her. We were prisoners in our own homes, even if we saw each other every day but there wasn't time to talk. School inhibited my mind, work filled her schedule, and we were too different to be together, or so we thought. We never had problems or discriminated against each other, but we just grew apart.

              As he left we joined together, slowly rediscovering what we liked. I found out we were more alike than I thought, we believed the same, she liked my music— partly, and even our hair used to be similar. Even with our differences, we coexisted, not intervening in each other's values. We stuck together, like a magnet on a fridge, and she helped me through the hard times, times where I didn't know what to say, act, or do. I like to think I help her because I want to show her how much she affects me, how much I care for her, and to reciprocate all her hard work for me.

             Words are never enough to describe her, but just to say that she is the strongest, best person I've ever met. She goes through things with a smile on her face, and even if it disappears for a moment, it always comes back. She always made sure my sister and I were well, and even if she got caught up with work, she did a great job at being a parent. To this day, she breaks a sweat with all of her work, but now we're closer than ever, even if we have constant teenage-mother arguments. I will always love her, until the end of time.

— L.T. Razón