I can say, without hesitation, that I would die for her.
I can say, without hesitation, that I would die for her.
And any time a rare look of sadness flashes in her innocent blue eyes during the retelling of an event that has caused her pain, I feel a fleeting desire to inflict permanent bodily injury to anyone who contributed to it.
The feelings of violence pass quickly because that’s not my style, but like any deep-rooted human emotion, the fierce protectiveness and ardent love I have for my little sister is practically indescribable.
Emily will be graduating from high school tomorrow and venturing out on her own to the University of Santa Cruz in a few short months, and I’m a lot more worried than I thought I would be.
Not because I don’t think she can handle it or won’t do well – she comes from a long line of very intelligent individuals (whether I’m part of that line is arguable, at times).
But going off to college is a big step for even the most mature of 17-year-olds (oxy-moron duly noted).
Not only will she have the freedom to make major decisions for herself – like whether to go to class or go to a party, or stay up all night studying or stay up all night at the kegger down the street – but she’ll be all by herself.
No Mom to tell her to finish her history project, no Dad to scream her awake and tell her she’s late for school, and no big sister to exemplify the phrase “Do what I say, not what I do” through her poorly thought-out actions.
While my many blunders over the years don’t necessarily place me at the top of the list of people to take advice from, I feel the need to lay some on her anyway as she begins this new and unexplored chapter in her life.
Now, Emily:
First and foremost, no matter what people may say, just because you were a Catholic school girl doesn’t mean you have to go hog-wild once you hit college.
This tidbit of information was lost on me when I exited my sheltered life at a private elementary and junior high and entered the lascivious world of public high school.
But during those four years of cutting class and sneaking out in the middle of the night, I had the safety net of our two loving, responsible parents attempting to keep me in line.
You, on the other hand, are graduating from a private Catholic high school and will be subject to the freedom and personal expression of college life without Mama Kay’s eagle eyes watching your every move.
So go ahead and have fun and be wild every now and then, but just remember you haven’t worn a school girl uniform since grade school and no matter what the boys say you don’t need to be slipping into one any time soon.
Secondly, people might tell you that grades in college aren’t what matter, it’s getting the degree at the end that’s important.
This is a lie.
Apparently it is much easier to obtain successful employment after you graduate if your GPA is high.
Once again, another tidbit of information lost on me.
And thirdly and probably most important, always remember that even though you’re a big girl now and it’s fun and exciting to be on your own, you’ve got a home away from home here in Hollister any time you get a little lonely.
It might not be the most exciting place in the world, but you have an older sister who thinks you just might be the sweetest person in the world who would always love to hang out.
P.S. Think long and hard about that tattoo on your 18th birthday. And if you absolutely have to have one, you better bring me along or I’m telling Mom.
Erin Musgrave is a staff writer at the Free Lance. Her column appears Thursdays.
