I've been cursed with little-sister-syndrome.

If you have two big brothers like I do, you'll know what I'm talking about. My brother can get me to do anything - and I mean anything! Sometimes it's good, and sometimes, well, it's not so good.

Somehow he managed to get me to clean his room. Not just once or twice, but on a fairly regular basis! When it came to weekly chores, my brothers always got me to do the bathroom. And I'm sure there are plenty of other things they manipulated me into doing that I just can't remember.

But on the other hand, I was fourteen when I got a letter in the mail about sponsoring a child. I remember saying how could I possibly sponsor a child? I was too young! To which my brother simply replied, "No you're not," and it's something I've continued to do ever since then. And at eighteen, when I couldn't figure out what to do with my life, my brother told me I should move in with him in Indianapolis, which is where I soon met my husband.

No matter what it was, I never seemed to question their suggestions or instructions. I'm not sure if it was wanting to please my big brothers and get "in" with them since I was the only girl or it was some foolish thinking that they actually knew better than I did! And it's a habit that's been hard to break.

So when we went boating last weekend and my brother had gotten a new tube (a big square with a giant basket handle to grab on to) it didn't take much for him to convince me to go for a ride with him. And it didn't take much for him to convince me that it would be so much more fun to ride on the back with him up on my knees, despite the fact that there was absolutely no stability and I was much more comfortable lying on my stomach. It wasn't long before we were thrown off and I hit the water hard and literally got the wind knocked out of me. When I popped up out of the water I was done - I was not getting back on that tube! Scared and unable to catch my breath I just wanted back on that boat.

I told Ryan that was it, I was done. "No you're not!" he said, and sure enough, he got me back on that tube for a second, much better ride.

It's a simple picture of what we all know to be true. Life's a ride, sometimes it's bumpy and rough and we're screaming to get off. And sometimes it's smooth sailing and an absolute blast. But it's a lot more fun when you go through it with someone else, and it gets a little easier when someone's there to convince you to hop back on after you fall off.

So maybe I'll just keep on listening to that big brother of mine after all. He's not completely steered me wrong yet., and besides - it's his boat!

Emily

Labels: Emily