The Beginning of the End

The girls with their Aunt Emily

Today my baby sister started her senior year of high school. It seems hardly real that this could be happening. She is 10 years younger than me. I remember her being born, and so excited I finally got my own sister. I remember her at Ellie's age-I was in high school by then. I remember she loved makeup and "cluck-cluck" shoes even then. She wore only dresses, and she played dollhouse. She loved brownies and barbies. Sound familiar? Ellie is so much like Emily that it is scary sometimes. I see many more of Emily's traits and mannerisms in Ellie than I see even of myself. She was 10 when I got married, and was my maid of honor. She was 12 when she became an Aunt. Perhaps this is why. Ellie gets a cool, fun aunt, who gives her everything she wants and then some. Much more fun than mommy.
So, one more year of officially being a kid. One more year of fun before the real world sets in. One more homecoming and prom. I know she is ready for this year. I know she is excited. I can't help feel sad, for in a way, she is my baby too. And I'm not ready for my baby to grow up. And in another way, I can't wait for her to be an adult, to talk about all the things adult sisters share. But still, I am sad. I didn't cry at my own graduation. But I bet I do at hers.

Good luck, little sister, and have a great year!