On: A Gift Like No Other
This article is best enjoyed whilst listening to the song “Family” by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - https://youtu.be/N8l5hnWRZYY
I remember being about seven or eight and getting into a fight with a playmate of mine because he had insulted or hit my little sister and she was crying. With rage and tears in my eyes, I rushed at this fellow trying to seek revenge on him for my sister, only to be expertly floored to the ground with a technique we used to call “parking” back then. It was embarrassing. But while I had my back on the ground, struggling to regain my composure and fighting hard to avoid this fellow cramming sand into my mouth in order to finally claim his victory, my little sister appeared out of nowhere, hitting and scratching at the assailant and succeeded in managing to get him off me. As it turns out, the person I had gotten into a fight for ended up being the one to save me.
Ladies and gentlemen, for as long as I have known my sister, Irete, she’s been saving me more than I have been able to fight for her. That’s just who she is. I’ve known her for most of my life and one thing that still amazes me about her as a person is her resilience. I must say, it brings some tears to my eyes as I recall this, but growing up, my little sister had to deal with most people thinking she was too slow. She would often be compared to the more academically promising kids her age as though there was something she wasn’t quite doing right.
But through all of these, never once did she hold any grudge against those of us who erroneously made her out to feel like she was less than she was. And for the life of me, I still can’t fathom how, even at such a young age, she found a way to pull herself up and make liars out of everyone. But as they say, age brings with it a lot of clarity and I think it has helped me see how amazing my sister is as a human being.
Often when she and I would have conversations, she would ask how I was coping with life and I’d tell her I was doing my best. She would then go on to say “e go better.” So imagine my surprise when about a week ago, I had a call with my mom who inadvertently informed me that my sister had actually been out of a job for a while, yet whilst telling me “e go better” to assuage my own woes, this little sister of mine never mentioned that she too was going through a rough patch as well.
It was a painful realization but not unexpected. My sister has always thrived in her own space. She’s the kind of person to put other people’s needs and feelings before hers. She’s someone who would never make you feel like you are less of yourself no matter what. She genuinely cares for those around her whether or not you’re her elder brother or just a mere acquaintance. And just like she did in that instance when we were younger, she is the sort of person who would literally ignore her own tears in order to come try to save you from yours.
Till this day, her selflessness continues to shine through her actions. I will always be proud of her and I hope that I am able to keep telling her this as often as I can. I am certain that soon enough, the world will marvel at her feet and all her dreams and aspirations will be made into reality. These aren’t prayers. They are facts. Facts which are embedded in the very essence of her being and in the meaning of her beautiful name: Iretenevesho meaning “A gift from God”.
Irete, you are a gift like no other! The greatest gift a brother could ever ask for and the best sister in the world. Happy birthday, little sis! Live long, age with grace and always remember that you are loved, appreciated and cherished!
Love you to the moon and back! Have a blast, mi hermana!