little bitty girl

Dearest Irene,

I wonder whether anyone ever told you this but for years and years, I longed for a little sister. Or an older adopted sister. Any type of sister, really...I was tired of Kenny and Kelvin always leaving me out. Or having to do impossible tasks to join their play groups. Or being bullied constantly. Or being bamboozled out of my pocket money for a mere omelet (totally Ken). Or having to deal with "pretend" kidnappings at the early dawn. For those of you who are brother-less, "pretend" kidnappings happen in the wee hours of the morning, where brothers pretend to kidnap you in your sleep. Supposedly, it's to prepare you for the possibilities of a kidnapping actually happening. Needless to say, I still tend to punch in my sleep if someone wakes me up unexpectedly.

Unfortunately, Mama and Papa Kang were not obliging to my request for another girl. After me, they were "done" (I wonder why.... I was such a joy as a teenager...NOT!). I got used to being by myself and then I went through a phase of not wanting to accept another girl in our lives. I was perfectly content being the crown princess of the family.

And then, there was you.

I've always liked you. I wasn't sure whether I was ever going to accept my brother loving another woman other than Mama Kang or me. I can be jealous like that. But there you were, in all your glory.

You've always been special. I told you so at your wedding. That, and what the heck are you doing with Kel (sweet boy and all, but he's my brother so...GROSS!). But you said you loved him and as crazy as I thought you were, I thought you were cool because secretly, I love him too. I wasn't even jealous when you started calling my parents "mum" and "dad." Stef brought this up recently and I had to tell him it was normal in our culture.

In fact, it felt completely natural.

As far as I've been concerned, you are my blood sister. And it hasn't been more true to me especially these past few weeks.

Mama Kang had her surgery last Monday and she hasn't had an easy time of it, has she? An unexpected, more invasive surgery, loss of blood, three blood transfusions in two days, a seven day stay at the hospital instead of the expected two, unexpected readmitting to emergency after, UTI to boot...we've had a rough time of it. And you've been there all the time. Calling, being there, keeping our spirits up, taking care of Papa Kang when we couldn't, staying overnight at the hospital, just being THERE. You have been such a rock to lean on, especially during such hard times. And I know you've been there, not out of obligation, but simply because you care and truly love us. (Are you mad?)

And I meant to send you a "Thank you" card but no card can convey what I really feel.

You are everything I've always looked for in a sister and more. I am lucky to be yours.

Love,

Karen