2008 Woodie Awards
Christmas a time for joy
By Jessica Rupell
Rocket Focus Editor
Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: Opinion
Christmas has been a magical type of holiday for my family. But one in particular sticks out more than the rest. I was nine years old and had just gotten done performing the Christmas musical at my church. Afterwards, my dad and stepmother took my sister and I aside and told us they had good news. The news was such a surprise and almost magical, kind of like a Christmas miracle, as my step-mom told us that she was pregnant.
I don't remember the following months as well, however, I do remember my baby sister being born and the days, weeks, months, and years that have followed. As she was born much later than the rest of her sisters, I was the closest to her in age, being only nine years older than her. Her baby days escape me some; however, the greatest memories I have of her are from the time she could talk and play. She was such a cutie, and loved to have tickle and kissing wars. She had some really cool toys, but she loved her videos like nothing else. So we would watch them, especially "Barney" and "The Wiggles." You can tell she had all of us wrapped around her little finger,as by the end of one of "The Wiggles" tapes, she had me, my older sisters, and my step-mom doing the "Cold Spaghetti" dance with her. There never seemed to be a dull moment in the house with her coming up with wacky new games to play. I'll admit, I sometimes got annoyed by the constant stories she would tell me, but I found it kind of funny that she refused to speak to non-immediate family because whenever she was just around her sisters and parents, she was just like the rest of the family, a non-stop gabber.
She has grown much since those days, and in a few years, will certainly out-grow me, as she is already so tall. I always forget she is nine years old already because I think I will always think of her as my little baby sister who remains seven years old forever.
When my dad decided to move to Texas last summer, one of the hardest things was thinking about my little sister being so far away from me. She is still so young and I certainly have missed watching her grow, as I only get to see her maybe twice a year. However, she is certainly becoming quite the young lady. I'm proud to say that my step-mom tells me how she takes after me, especially in her physique and her involvement in gymnastics.
Even though I don't get to see her as often, we still have remained really close, and I love when she sends me cards and e-mails and talks to me on the phone. As she still has somewhat of a shyness issue, she will never speak when she picks up the phone. She will simply say, "Uh huh" and then once she hears my voice, she will talk and talk. Although she is very close with all of her sisters, I feel that we hold a special bond because we are the closest in age. All of the things she does may not seem like a big deal, but she can always put a huge smile on my face. We both miss each other so much, so we make it a point to count down the days until we see each other next, which, by the way, is on Dec. 21. She remains a special sister to me, and I love her more than words can explain. I am so excited to spend Christmas with her, for my baby sister, Amanda Nicole, is truly a Christmas miracle.
I don't remember the following months as well, however, I do remember my baby sister being born and the days, weeks, months, and years that have followed. As she was born much later than the rest of her sisters, I was the closest to her in age, being only nine years older than her. Her baby days escape me some; however, the greatest memories I have of her are from the time she could talk and play. She was such a cutie, and loved to have tickle and kissing wars. She had some really cool toys, but she loved her videos like nothing else. So we would watch them, especially "Barney" and "The Wiggles." You can tell she had all of us wrapped around her little finger,as by the end of one of "The Wiggles" tapes, she had me, my older sisters, and my step-mom doing the "Cold Spaghetti" dance with her. There never seemed to be a dull moment in the house with her coming up with wacky new games to play. I'll admit, I sometimes got annoyed by the constant stories she would tell me, but I found it kind of funny that she refused to speak to non-immediate family because whenever she was just around her sisters and parents, she was just like the rest of the family, a non-stop gabber.
She has grown much since those days, and in a few years, will certainly out-grow me, as she is already so tall. I always forget she is nine years old already because I think I will always think of her as my little baby sister who remains seven years old forever.
When my dad decided to move to Texas last summer, one of the hardest things was thinking about my little sister being so far away from me. She is still so young and I certainly have missed watching her grow, as I only get to see her maybe twice a year. However, she is certainly becoming quite the young lady. I'm proud to say that my step-mom tells me how she takes after me, especially in her physique and her involvement in gymnastics.
Even though I don't get to see her as often, we still have remained really close, and I love when she sends me cards and e-mails and talks to me on the phone. As she still has somewhat of a shyness issue, she will never speak when she picks up the phone. She will simply say, "Uh huh" and then once she hears my voice, she will talk and talk. Although she is very close with all of her sisters, I feel that we hold a special bond because we are the closest in age. All of the things she does may not seem like a big deal, but she can always put a huge smile on my face. We both miss each other so much, so we make it a point to count down the days until we see each other next, which, by the way, is on Dec. 21. She remains a special sister to me, and I love her more than words can explain. I am so excited to spend Christmas with her, for my baby sister, Amanda Nicole, is truly a Christmas miracle.
