You are leaving.

You will be gone for 27 months and I don't know what I'm going to do.

You were older, but you never let that limit us. We would laugh and talk and sing until our voices gave out. You treated me as equal and never let me get down on myself.

You are leaving and I guess I haven't mentally prepared myself.

I keep pushing it to the back of my brain and pretending that it's not actually going to happen.

I'm sad and I'm happy. I'm sad that you are leaving and I won't see you for a very long time, but I'm exhilarated that you are going out into the world and doing good.

You are leaving and I'm not ready.

I'm not ready to stop our conversations and our tags on Facebook over things Obama has been up to or the funniest picture of a cat.

I'm not ready that I might not able to easily call you and talk about school and how my classes, how my professors, how my life is.

You are leaving and I'm nervous.

27 months can change so many things and when you come back I will be or almost be 21.

I will be older and more mature and different.

Different.

You will be different too.

You will be more experienced and smarter and have lived a whole new life in a new perspective.

You are leaving and I'm proud.

You are the best sister anyone could ask for. You are goofy and kind and beautiful and someone I will always look up to.

You have shown me strength and determination and the power I didn't even know was inside me.

You don't always see that power hiding in me, but I know it is there.

I know when you come back, that power will have broken through. I will be different and you will be different too.

I will have lived what seems like a life time without you, but I know it is for the best.

I can't wait to here the stories and the journeys you have taken as you are a pond away.

You are leaving and I will miss you.

How could I not? We've been separated before and I know how to deal with it. I know what it feels like, but the older we keep getting, the more precious everything keeps becoming.

You are leaving and I love you.

I want you to stay here, but I know you are needed elsewhere. I know there are people out there that need everything you have given me. Give them the love, the kindness, the POWER you have given me.

I know you will move the mountains and change the world.

You are leaving.

Goodbye Allison, I love you!