Wanted: An Oldest Sister

Job Description: your responsibilities include but are not limited to leading the siblings, protecting them, teaching them, bossing them around when needed, inspiring their fashion choices, and entertaining their friends.

Pay: none except the rare appreciation and the everlasting love of your siblings.

Hours: it's kinda a 24/7 gig.

Where would we be without oldest sisters? If you're an oldest sister like me, then there are a few things that only we can understand, such as how...

1. You always played the "mom" role in imaginary games growing up

Some people are born with great responsibility, others have it thrust upon them. If you are the big sister, then you deal with both.

2. You don't lead because you are bossy but because you want what is best for your siblings

This isn't to say that you don't have your bossy moments (if no one takes charge, who will, I mean?) but you are born the leader and take your role seriously. Maybe too seriously.

3. You protect your siblings

From protecting them from scrapes as kids to protecting them from broken hearts as teenagers (plus the occasional times you must be their substitute in a murder game for a dystopian government), you use all that you have to help your siblings.

4. You actually like how your sisters want to borrow your clothes

You won't admit it, but you like how your younger sisters borrow your clothes. They inherited good fashion. (Now can you please return my sweater?)

5. You are hard on your siblings because you love them

Sometimes you take it in your hands to give them the hard stuff, but it is because you love them.

6. You feel a small need to be the tallest

Height doesn't measure greatness (take Queen Victoria), but it sure does feel weird to have your younger siblings to pass you up in height. Oldest= tallest, right?

7. You hate how your siblings (and others) compare themselves to you

Because you are the oldest, people (including your siblings) compare themselves to you all of the time. You just want to be you and let your siblings be mini-versions of you themselves.

8. You try to play the "cool older sister" role to your sibling's friends

Don't lie. You come out of your room when your siblings have company just so that you can impress them with your fancy oldest-sister power.

9. You slowly teach your siblings the ways of the world

Yes, the world really is this complicated.

10. You get peeved at how you were the guinea pig

I was 13 before I saw a PG-13 movie (call me a sheltered home-school kid, I won't correct you). My sisters were like nine.

11. You are the sensible one

Whenever your siblings get dramatic or crazy, you are the one to keep them from either killing each other or flouting off into la la land (although after seeing the movie of that name, I'm about ready to flout away).

12. You love your siblings with all your heart

Mainly, being the Oldest Sister means that you get to love your siblings in the unique way that God gave you!

If you're an oldest sister, keep living out that role with diligence and love. If you have an oldest sister in your family, show her some love today. She won't show it, but she does weary from always having to look put together.

Here's to the oldest sisters!