Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sometimes Being the Big Sister Sucks

Tonight I can't sleep. Some unknown is troubling my brain and I can't figure out how to make it go away. Katie can't sleep either. She's got a nasty cold and can't figure out how to make it go away. She can't breathe very well either. She's in the shower now running the hot water to steam herself.

Before she got in the shower she came out to see why I was still up, and I was suddenly reminded me of an evening many years ago when Katie was only about three. I was home alone with my siblings and Katie had a cold. The poor kid was terribly stuffed up and had such a nasty cough she sounded like a dog barking. I took her into the bathroom, started up the hot water, and held her while the steam filled up the room. She was absolutely miserable, but I tickled her back while singing lullabies, and eventually she started to fall asleep. I felt like a pretty good big sister that night.

I watched her walk down the hall tonight and couldn't believe how much time has passed. This morning Katie took the ACT exam so she can finally turn in a score to all those colleges wanting to offer her scholarships. She graduates this Spring, then she's off to a-college-to-be-determined and I won't be able to hold her and make things better anymore.

Until then, I think I'm going to go check on her and make sure she's OK.