Half was never a part of the equation-250 words

When you were born, she stole the name I was going to use if I ever had a daughter. It didn’t calm me down when they said it was her grandmother’s name, as if I didn’t know. It was my name and now it was gone. 

The joke was on me. 

You were the last daughter I ever had. Maybe the little beast is right. He is full sister. 

I raised you in my image, dark and twisty. You were better than the best parts and not as dark as the darkest parts of me. You are just dark enough to be laughing while calling me “Trouble”, to make jokes at funerals and to not fall apart when the world darkens around you. 

You’re kind too. You’ve offered to share your last piece of gum even though you were already chewing it. You sang  Aladdin’s A Whole New World to my college professor.  You’ve helped us clean and paint and move and clean some more. You are Snow White to the animals who are lucky enough to fall into your orbit, dogs, and cats, chickens, ducks, bunnies, deer, pigeons, squirrels. You believe they all deserve a good life, good health and good friends. And god bless ya, you make it happen. 

I’ve watched you grow from peacemaker to boundary setter. You’ve taught me about farm life, spices and roux. You host us Thanksgiving and Finnsgiving and Cookie Day, too. 

I’m lucky to have you. My sister, My daughter. My friend.