Elynna's+Big+Sister+Book



“Aunt Kendra, you aren't the big sister. I am,” Elynna boasted one morning in early July. Rain had kissed the grass of a nearby park as fat-bellied robins poked out tasty worms. “No, Eme, you and I are both big sisters. Your momma is my little sister. But it's okay. I've been a big sister for 27 years, so I'm happy to let you enjoy being a big sister right now,” Aunt Kendra explains, kneeling next to pony-tailed, pink-tennis-shoed Elynna. Eme points to her sparkly “Big Sister” t-shirt and explains: “Okay; we can both be big sisters, but I'm wearing the shirt.”
 * ** ** ** Elynna's Big Sister Book ** ** ** **

In the car, headed towards the Highline Canal, music pours from the back seat, loud and rambunctious like family at Thanksgiving. Elynna uses the tune of “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,” to create a song all about big sisters: //He's got me and Aunt Kendra, in his hands,// // He's got me and Aunt Kendra, in his hands, //// He's got all the big sisters, in his hands //// We're all the big sisters, big sisters, BIG SISTERS. // All Elynna's songs end at the top of her lungs. “Wow, sweet girl,” Aunt Kendra smiles from the front seat. “That's a great song. “Thanks; I wrote it myself!” Walking toward the trail, the two big sisters talk about their job as big sister, Elynna imagining what life will soon become. “Momma told me that our baby doesn't //look// like a baby yet, but it's still a baby, Aunt Kendra.” “Yes, Elynna. Right now it's called an embryo and is about the size of your new pink earrings.” “And, whether the baby is a boy or a girl, it will be okay,” Elynna assures Aunt Kendra. “But it'll be a long time before the baby comes out of Momma's stomach, and I have to be patient, Momma says.” “Oh yes; it's hard to be patient. But being a good big sister is all about patience.” Listening with her best listening ears, ears like the jerboa they'd just learned about at the Wilderness Experience, Elynna said, “How can I be a good big sister?” “It's hard, sometimes, and I'm not always a good big sister, but here's what I'd say,” Aunt Kendra begins.

“Even though you sometimes want to play Barbies in your Heart Family cottage with mini-blind stairs, you have to remember that your little sister or brother may want to do something else. If your sibling sits you down at the little table Dadda made and says, ‘Good morning, little girl. What will we learn today?’, play school. Do what she wants to do, for a long time, as long as she wants. And you aren't the boss of him. That's Daddy's job. One day, you may walk by your sibling's bedroom and see her hiding something brown and hairy in her yellow toy refrigerator. Don't tattle. Even if you later notice that she's cut a chunk from her hair the size of an elephant's toe, don't snoop. Though you are always going to be older and may feel smarter, you don't know what's best. Trying to be her boss keeps you from being her friend, the best thing siblings can be.”

Aunt Kendra paused. “Elynna, are you tired of listening? I've been talking an awful long time.” “Oh, no, Aunt Kendra. But, my feet are tired. Can we stop to watch the river slide?” Elynna pulled Aunt Kendra toward a large rock and sat down. Then she began again, “I want to know more about being a big sister because it sounds like an awful hard job. I want to be good at it. I've been waiting a long time for a best friend.” “Yes, you have, Eme. And remember that feeling. Remember what it feels like right now. What it feels like to be alone and lonely, without that best friend. Singing Ariel without a Sebastian and dressing up like Snow White without a wicked stepmother. How you begged momma for a little sister or brother; how you prayed. If you remember this, you'll always stick up for her, even if you think she is wrong and even when your best friends are around. It's as important as having HopHop by your side during nap time or brushing your teeth until they're smooth and squeaky. Try to always be truthful with her. Being honest is hard, knowing she'll get mad that you borrowed her blue-striped shirt without asking. Be brave; walk into her bedroom when you hear her favorite music blaring and return the shirt. Make fun together. Remember if your momma sends you to do a chore, make it fun, even if you get in trouble for wasting time. If your momma tells you to make your bed, be sure to get into someone's bed, scooch down into the middle, pull the covers over your heads, and lie silent. Momma will eventually find you and wonder what those bumpy lumps are in the middle of a normally smooth bed. But be very quiet with your giggles; maybe she'll never know. Play outside, under your favorite tree. On cool afternoons, build sand-castle cities, complete with long tunnels and tall skyscrapers. You'll have to negotiate—who will be the sand digger and who will be the sand patter? It may take all afternoon; you'll be sunburned pink like a watermelon and your tongue will notice your teeth's gritty surface, but your city will be worth it. ‘Whoo, hoo,’ your little sibling will say. ‘We did it!’ and you'll remind him, smiling your sand-coated, toothy grin, ‘Yep. We did this together.’ As the sun's about to set, go hunting for lizards to fill your new sand-castle city. They love the time when the sun snuggles into earth's blanket. Introducing them to their home, cradle them close, never squeezing, or they will spit blood and hiss at your meanness! If they're gone in the morning when you sneak out to check, know that all loved things sometimes need a space of their own, that they've chosen, just like your new sibling.

And when you are all grown up and married, make time to Sing in the car Sport matching pajamas Tell each other the secrets you want to tell your mom and know you can't Pray together Talk on the phone while you're cooking dinner Forgive meddling and Splash through the stream with your nieces and nephews.”

As Aunt Kendra finished, Elynna smiled up at her with her whole face, brown eyes wide with surprise. “Like we're doing right now, Aunt Kenj?” “Yep, sweet girl. Just like today.”