Ode to a Big Sister

Asher, Nolan, Nolan, Asher: this is what I talk about all day, every day. And who do I talk about Asher and Nolan with, and in front of, almost all the time? Big sister. Does she complain about it? Never.

This little girl is a star. Any meltdowns she has seem to be unrelated to the fact that her life has been turned upside down by the entrance of "the brothers" and the attention they are stealing from everyone near and dear to her. When she is difficult it is because she is three years old and not because she resents any of us.

She accompanies us to the hospital several times a week, often getting scolded for stepping on cords, pushing chairs, being rough with the boys, touching her nose then touching the boys, touching the floor then touching the boys, talking too loudly, or dancing too wildly - all things totally natural to a three year old and completely acceptable outside of the hospital. But unfortunately in that environment she is a bull in a china shop. We get frustrated and we sigh. A lot.

Magically, she doesn't seem to get frustrated. For 123 days she has remained thrilled with her brothers. She loves them to the ends of the earth and back. She never questions when they are coming home, only knowing that when they are well enough they will. She doesn't get upset when she has to wash her hands approximately 40 times per visit, or when she has the sniffles and has to wear a mask. It's only upsetting if I won't draw a happy face on the mask in the colour scheme she has requested.

On days that things are good, she shares in our joy. On days that things are bad, she makes life tolerable. She makes us laugh, she keeps us on our toes, and when she is misbehaving like any three year old would, she reminds us that we are just a normal family in spite of all that's going on around us. On those very few days when she cries because she doesn't want me to go to the hospital, my heart shatters. But I know that when I walk in the door I will be greeted with hugs, smiles and a very excited "Did the brothers have a good day?" as always. All three of our kids have proven a thousand times over just how resilient children are.

So although she often gets left out of this blog, Rio deserves a whole lot of praise. Without her humour, sensitivity, empathy and love that knows no bounds, we would not be half the parents that we are. Asher and Nolan, get ready - you have one incredibly special sister looking out for you. Just a heads up though, that's one temper you don't want to mess with!

Princess-Super Hero-Dinosaur Slayer