My Remarkable Little Sister-“You Are Magic”
Ravi Speaks:
On the occasion of my dear sister’s birthday, I had written an article some time ago. I am revisiting the same with some modifications in the written piece. This is the revised version of the same article being republished today.Hope you like it.
My Beloved Younger Sister: DOB: January 3rd.
“Having a sister is akin to having an inseparable best friend, someone who will always be there no matter what.”
“In the journey of life, sisters are the delightful surprises that add sweetness to it.”
“A sister is both a reflection of ourselves and a unique individual—a special kind of duality.”
Memories from years past suddenly flood my mind. Many of these treasured moments revolve around my sister, who happens to be nearly four and a half years younger than me.
We were both raised by our revered mother, who played the role of a single parent. Right from the start of our schooling, we were aware of the need to focus on our studies and establish ourselves. When a child comprehends the challenges faced by a single parent in raising their children alone, a certain empathy develops. At a young age, my mother had to leave her husband due to irreconcilable differences after six years of marriage. When she made the difficult decision to separate, she already had the two of us as additional responsibilities. After a gap of nearly a decade, she resumed her education as she was not a graduate at the time. She began as a humble teacher and gradually, alongside her children, completed her graduation and pursued double master’s degrees in English and Hindi linguistics. By the time my mother earned her master’s degrees, my little sister had joined college and blossomed into a young woman. I mention this background to provide context for the circumstances in which my sister was raised. In 1982, I embarked on a sales career in Ludhiana, leaving my home and being separated from both of them. Although my maternal uncle’s family also resided in Srinagar, creating a sense of a larger family, my departure left my sister and mother feeling quite lonely.
Typically, being the younger sister in a family comes with certain privileges. They are often pampered and can get away with anything. Elder brothers are always there to protect and indulge their every whim. Money is never a concern, as they receive generous gifts from family and friends who earn a living. They receive special attention within the family. However, in our case, the atmosphere and circumstances were different, and the challenges were more pronounced, especially in striving for success and defying the narrow-minded society we lived in.
Therefore, my little sister focused on her career, completed her graduation, and pursued a law degree at Jammu University. She immediately began practicing law and gradually established herself as a well-respected advocate and commissioner for oaths. I would meet them both for a day or so at the end of each month before returning to my place of work. The irony of the situation struck me: I haven’t had the opportunity to settle down in my hometown since 1982. And now, with further developments and our children settling in Delhi, it seems unlikely that I will return.
During this phase of my life, I witnessed my sister, at such a tender age, stepping into my parents’ shoes and shouldering the financial burden. She played a pivotal role in finding a suitable match for me and, most importantly, handled all the wedding preparations single-handedly with the assistance of my mother. I will forever cherish the time she spent booking and organizing various wedding arrangements, considering the entire wedding took place in Jammu, our hometown. She took sole responsibility for compiling the guest list and sending out invitations for the grand and successful event. Her demonstration of sisterhood through shouldering greater responsibilities at a young age was exceptional. In typical brother-sister relationships, such situations don’t often arise, as it is usually the parents who handle such responsibilities.
As the elder brother, I wanted to ensure she had everything she needed, especially during that time. However, witnessing her assume the role of an elder, taking care of matters at such a young age, elevated my admiration for her. It was a testament to the strength of our bond, surpassing mere sibling love, in my perspective.
With the passing of time, my mother also sought a suitable match for herself, and fate led her to a caring and affectionate man. She had to leave behind her legal practice, where she had gained considerable recognition in the High Court and our hometown. Nevertheless, due to her previous accomplishments and expertise, she continued working for various organizations as a legal advisor in her new home of Ahmedabad. If she had continued in her profession, having already cleared exams like “Munsif,” she would likely have achieved the position of a session judge by now. When I ask her about it, she simply expresses contentment, stating that she has had her share and that her more challenging role has been that of a homemaker, ensuring her only child succeeds in life. Her husband holds a prominent position as the Vice President of a multinational company, and her son is well settled in California, where she spent the past year. She expresses gratitude to the Almighty for the subsequent blessings in her life. I believe that the hardships she faced in the early stages molded her into a strong and successful individual. She learned valuable life lessons early on, and I pray that God grants her immense joy, respect, and, above all, good health to enjoy the true essence of life.
Barbara Alpert’s words resonate deeply in our case:
“Sister. She is your mirror, reflecting endless possibilities. She is your witness, someone who sees you at your lowest and highest points and still loves you. She is your accomplice, your companion through the darkest nights, able to sense your happiness even in the shadows. She is your teacher, your defender, your publicist, and even your confidante. Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child.”
Even today, whenever I seek her advice or engage in discussions about our family matters or general topics, she responds candidly and with utmost clarity. Some might consider her straightforwardness as lacking sugar-coated answers. However, I admire this quality in her, although I must admit that I also harbor a slight apprehension: the fear that if I disagree with her or fail to nod in agreement with her suggestions, it might upset her, particularly because it’s coming from her brother.
I have witnessed immense determination in her right from the beginning, and there have been moments when I wished to possess the same strength. A prime example is during the unfortunate demise of our mother, who tragically passed away while alone. At that time, I had a strong premonition that calming my sister once she arrived in Jammu for the funeral would be a challenging task. Yet, I witnessed a resilient woman stepping into the shoes of a parent, composed and without shedding a tear or causing any commotion. Together with her husband, she meticulously performed all the rituals alongside me and my wife, leading me to suspect that she possessed a deeper sense of parenthood than the usual elements of childhood and adulthood found in any individual, varying in proportion depending on their maturity and age.
Observing her maturity levels and capacity for tolerance, my trust in her has grown, accompanied by a healthy sense of awe. Even when she firmly stands by her opinions during discussions and debates, I often playfully tease her, saying, “Nobody can outmatch you since you’re an advocate.” Her husband, who also holds a master’s degree in law, complements her perfectly. Being from the same field, they share a deep understanding of each other. I hold great admiration for him because he has stood by her side through all the challenges, setting an example of a truly successful couple in society with a strong foundation.
“You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood runs through both your hearts.” “You need her, as she needs you.” These words hold true when it comes to the essence of the brother-sister relationship.
Today, as the thought of writing a few lines about my little sister came to mind once again, I found comfort in the following words:
“No matter the situation in life, a conversation with my dear sister always brings me solace.”
Happy birthday to you, Rachna!
May God continue to bless you with profound happiness and robust health.
#SisterBond #RemarkableJourney #UnbreakableBond #SiblingLove #FamilyMatters