This is a very soft-spoken, somewhat timid, intelligent and God-loving sister. About the age of the last one. But she does not call me big sister, she treats me like one. She is actually my first Christian friend. And we kind of bloomed in the faith together. And I kind of push her a lot. Because I felt she had so much potential but only settles for much less. So who am I to complain about my mean ‘small sister? Maybe we are more alike than I realize!
I must mention that this my ingenuous sister has an over-sensitive conscience which the way I see it, is a conscience gone AWOL. Spontaneity means danger to her and she often goes beyond the call of duty while trying to accomplish her duty. Am I even making sense?
May be I should just leave it at — she is is complicated and gentle, sincere and cautious. I hope that is makes better sense?
Anyway, I love her enough for me to always point this out to her frankly, and I believe she loves me enough to take it from me… even sometimes to the point of eventually acknowledging I was right. And she knows I would always jump into the fray in her defence if I thought anyone was taking undue advantage of her. I am glad to say that by the grace of God, my style has improved considerably over the years. I have quite mellowed down in my approach and I think, have probably become more effective.
Let me assure you: age does have a lot to offer. Do not resist it. Flow with it and you’ll be surprised at how much you will love it.
Back to my ingenuous sister. I already said she is also very intelligent, didn’t I? And I have been known to back off from my stance on positions because of her rational and persuasive arguments. So she is not by any means a push-over. Nor is it a full fledged bully-victim relationship. Besides, I know she mostly appreciates my bullying even if it had to be tested and proven over time. Remember I did say she is very cautious.
So, why do I describe her as ingenious? You see, dear daughter, she said to me once about her own daughter: She is so much like you!, which pleased me, after which she promptly goes on to describe just how you often push her the same way I tend to, which greatly reassured me.
Then she chooses an opportunity to expatiate on that resemblance by describing how you are so difficult to shift from your position on issues. Actually argumentative is the word I should use but I am trying to be kind to us all here.
In the first place, I am not sure this was the word she used. She is too delicate for that. But that is certainly message I got.
And I smiled within myself thinking how masterfully she communicated exactly what she was trying to say without causing offence. You see, she had said it more discretely many times before, and I was happy to know I had a back-up to work on her.
Secondly it was good to know that someone else who loved her corroborated my views.
Thirdly it was kind of nice to see a mother embrace her own daughter’s resemblance to someone else.
Fourth, it was flattering to know that you, my daughter, share something with me.
And finally, I for one, know that she accepts us both as we are and loves us nevertheless. Just as we accept and love her.
Yes, dear daughter. You must have guessed it by now. Your mum, is the ingenious sister!!
And to think that weird looong silence inspired all this!
Interestingly enough, and as I have told you before, I think you are as much like her, as she thinks you are like me!
So do keep working on it. And making your light shine. A double portion awaits you.
Love you!
THE END, I THINK?