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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Sibling(s) (05/01/08)
My Sissy was and is my best friend. Although she is only five years older than me, she was also a mother to me. I am sure there were times she hated the responsibility of the tagalong little sister. We grew up in an abusive home and all we had were each other. We were not allowed much contact with the outside world. Our parents were afraid we would tell the "big secret". We moved 13 times in 18 years. Our clothes were often kept in cardboard boxes that we opened on their sides and used as shelves with boards in between the rows. We also learned how to scrape off the old and hang the new wallpaper and often painted in each home we moved into.

We took on the duties of cooking, cleaning, and also the outside chores of mowing and weeding. Our parents both worked and to the outside world they were model parents. Yet, in private we suffered, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse.

My Sissy and I shared our life, but not our clothes. She was skinny and I was chubby. She was blond while I was a brunette. We argued just like other children, but when the day was done and we were in the bed we shared, we hugged and comforted each other. She suffered through my terrible bratty behavior. One time she was acting the big sister and telling me how I had to help her clean the house. I said, "I don?t have to!" Then she started chasing me and I slammed the door in her face and broke her nose. I still have not lived that down. She did forgive me, but her nose is still a little crooked.

There were some fun times, such as the time we decided to spend all our piggy bank money on candy. There was just a little time before our parents came home and our getting home from school. The corner grocery was too big a temptation. A few months ago that memory was brought back to me when my sister brought me a Zero candy bar. It did not taste near as good now as it did back then. We got away with it till our mom stopped in one day to grab a gallon of milk and the grocery store owner told her what cute little girls we were. We got severe punishment, but we sure did enjoy that candy!

As adults, we were Girl Scout Day Camp directors one summer and we had such fun. We wanted to show the girls how glad we were the week was over. At the closing ceremony she was on one side of the circle while I was on the other. Although both of us a little chubby by then, we turned cartwheels clear across that circle and met in the middle to hug. It was reminiscent of our childhood times of play.

I thank God that my blood sister is also my sister in Christ. It is nothing for us to have four hour phone conversations several times a month. We never lack for conversation. We share our joys, our sorrows, our frustrations, our hopes, and our dreams. We pray together, cry together, and laugh together. Sometimes we sing together just like we did as children. My Sissy has always been a special person. I pray God blesses her and gives her long life.
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This article has been read 906 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Christine Dunn
05/08/08
A lovely story of survival against the odds thanks to the comfort of your 'sissy'.
Irvine Saint-Vilus
05/09/08
This was a great story, though a tragic one. My heart broke reading about the abuse the two sisters endured. But it was good that they had each other for comfort. And the hope here is despite the ugly example their parents set for them, they were able to overcome it with love for Christ and love for each other. And as a result they became productive adults. Good work.
Emily Gibson
05/09/08
So glad God provided the gift and comfort of a special sister in tragic circumstances.
Debi Derrick
05/10/08
I like the way the relationship between the sisters proved to be a redeeming factor against the remaining, abusive relationships in the home.
Beth LaBuff 
05/10/08
Your love for your sister really shines through your writing. I'm so glad you had each other. And despite the sadness of your family life, it seems you've chosen not to dwell on it. I enjoyed reading of the sisters' fun times and rejoiced in their relationship with Christ. Nice work.