for my sister

3. Write a letter to a friend every week for one year.

Week One.

A few excerpts from a letter to my sister, Neda.

I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of the person you’ve become, and are still growing to be. I know you often say that you’ve learned so much from me, but I really think that’s sometimes just due to virtue of me being born first. You have taught me so much over the years as well. There is a quote that I heard once, and I loved, so I wrote it on a sticky note and it’s stuck to my computer. It says, “don’t be better by comparison, be outstanding because it the right thing to do.” I don’t know if you know it, but you do this all this time. It’s something that I try to do more, and you do so effortlessly. When you do something, you do your best, because YOU want to do your best, not because you just want to get something done. You are working so hard at school, and I know it. I love that you are such a great Auntie, and so involved in Sadira’s life, because I want her to have amazing role models in her life, like you, to look up to.

I admire that you make good choices not because you’re afraid of getting in trouble with your Mom or Dad, but because you know it’s the right thing to do. Your character and integrity make you the strong person that you are. I love that in the face of adversity you stand behind what you believe, even if you know others will disagree with you. I know that growing up for you wasn’t always a walk in the park, but you’ve always handled the challenges that came your way with grace and maturity. I love the quote, “You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” I think we both can relate.

There are so many things that I want for you in the future. I want to you to realize the success of all of your hard work. I want to you to one day take a job because it’s what you love to do, not necessarily because it pays the most. I want you to experience both happiness and sorrow, because sorrow makes you appreciate happiness so much more. I want you to be able to experience any amazing opportunity that comes your way, without having to worry about how to pay for it, or if you can take off work or miss school. I want you to never be afraid that what you have to say will fall on deaf ears; and even if it does, say it anyway. I hope that you find your passion---and realize that a passion doesn’t necessarily have to correlate to a career, it can be a hobby, or a role you play within your family. I hope that you can make decisions about your future based on what you WANT to do, not based on what you HAVE to do.

You’re the best gift Dad ever gave me!