I can still clearly remember that fateful day when Selena, my younger sister, abruptly moved away from my family's home. We had lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania all our lives. Our mother and father had dealt with the two of us in that one cozy house for nearly 20 years; we were both 20 when she left. For a long time afterwards, I never realized how selfish and unloving I had become, especially towards my sister. I always treated her like she was the one being rude to me- until that day; I'm still surprised I didn't murder her during any of my teenage years. It was June 28th, 1998. I now recognize it as one the worst- and most life-changing- days of my life.
To put it short, the morning of June 28th started out normal for me until Selena came downstairs. I don't recall what I said to her, but it was her last straw. Her screaming "I've had enough of you and this family!!" has continued to ring through my head all the days of my life, so much so that I've been fighting depression and anxiety ever since that incident. I still recall her many tears, my mother and father attempting to calm down the situation, and me simply making it worse by essentially saying I never wanted her as a sister. I remember how she took out all of her built-up hatred by throwing a punch in my face; thank goodness for my father, Dan Sr., who broke us up before it turned real violent. I remember her taking a lot of her personal belongings, except a picture of the two of us playing at a park when we were both 6; she smashed the frame on the floor before ripping up the photo. I had never seen her in such a rage before, not even when we had fought each other before that moment.
Without saying another word, she had gotten into her red 1997 Ford F-150 and driven off. Despite our efforts to stop her from leaving, it was too late. She was gone. My mother, father, and I were all stunned and upset. I recall my parents turning on me, calling me insane and "the worst example of a brother they have ever seen." It was not too long before I was forced to move out. I had unknowingly caused my own fate: I lost my family, friends, and job, simply because I had made my sister's life a living hell all those years. I became a very anti-social person, and like I already said, I began to face severe mental health issues, including depression. I also had trouble with alcoholism throughout my 20's and 30's. I went from job to job, not being able to hold any one position for a long time due to my declining health.
It may be said that I had to learn the hard way, and that is very true.
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I never expected to run into my sister ever again, but I guess God willed it to happen.
A year ago, when I was 44, I was out for a long walk in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland before lunchtime; Once again, it was June 28th. I kept my head down and avoided people, still wrapped up in my own thoughts and worries. It was Saturday, so I didn't have to be at my job, which was a relief. It was a cloudy, windy day, and rain was expected to fall later in the day. I had on a black hoodie and ripped jeans. I had let the light brown hair on my head grow out so that it mostly covered up my neck and forehead.
As I crossed Edmonson Avenue, I looked down at my watch to check the time: 11:35 AM. I continued walking down Rosewood Avenue, and then I noticed someone; my sister was on the other side of the street. She was approaching the same vehicle that she had left in 24 years earlier- the red F-150. I couldn't help but stop walking and look at her; she looked so similar to her younger self, which is how I recognized her so quickly. I started to walk again, shaking my head- it doesn't matter now, does it? She probably won't forgive me- she might not even recognize me, I thought as a few tears ran down my face.
All of a sudden, I heard a familiar voice: "Dan?" It was Selena. She had seen me and crossed the street behind me as I continued to walk.
I stopped in my tracks and sighed. "Why are you following me?"
"Because we need to talk."
"About w-what? I t-thought I had ended this long ago." I was referring to our relationship as siblings.
"Just turn around already. What exactly are you afraid of?" I noticed she had stepped closer as we were talking.
I checked my watch again: it read 11:37. "...I was afraid that it was hopeless, that I'd n-never-"
"Don't finish that. Just- turn around. We need to talk."
I hesitated for a few more seconds before turning around to face her. I was able to take in her features better- the biggest difference I noticed was her hair color, which had gone from a dark to a light brown, similar to mine. Tears continued to slowly roll down my face. "Hi..." I managed to say.
"Hi, bro." Selena smiled. I couldn't get myself to do the same- I felt too miserable in that moment. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled.
"L-let's keep walking. I think I need to talk first." I said, pointing down the street before continuing to walk. Selena walked on my left, close to me. "T-this is long overdue, b-but- I'm sorry... for e-everything. I never thought I'd s-see you again after the day you left. I thought there was no h-hope left for me... Mom and dad kicked me out a few days after, and I lost everything I had ever lived for in Pittsburgh." I paused for a while as I had started to lose my voice. "If I could go back and change things, I would."
"I get it, I really do," Selena finally responded, "I forgive you, Dan. There's no need for me to hold a grudge against you anymore- I got over what you did more than 15 years ago. I learned the importance of forgiveness, and my life has been so much better ever since. We can talk more about what's happened later, but I just want you to know that."
I let out a huge sigh of relief as tears continued to run down my face. I stopped as Selena pulled me into a hug.
"You're still my brother, Dan." She let go, looking right into my eyes. "Don't ever forget that. Maybe mom and dad let you go long ago, but I'm not going to let you go now. We're family- we stick together."
I nodded, "Yes, w-we're family. I understand that now more than I did when we were young."
She continued, "Promise me you won't act the way you did long ago."
"I promise. I won't bully and push you around like I always did." This time I looked her in the eyes, wanting to get across that I meant it.
"Ok, good. You really have changed," Selena smiled again, "I want you to meet your nephews and your brother-in-law."
My eyes must've been really wide at this point. "Wait, really!? I'm an uncle?"
"Yes- we still have a LOT we need to catch up on." She giggled and grabbed my hand. "Let's go back and see them."
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