Ruby

My sisters and I

My hero is my little sister Ruby. My other two younger sisters have had an effect on my life also. Ruby and I were best friends since the day she was born. At the time it was just her, her mom, my dad and I living together. My sister Raina still lived with me mom. Ruby and I aren't full sisters but that has never stopped us from being as close as we are. Our lives have been full of pain and trouble, but through it all we have stayed strong and helped each other get through tough times. For fifteen years I lived with my dad and stepmom with 3 younger sisters. My family has been torn apart and put back together quite a few times, which has brought my sisters and I close.

When Ruby was two she was diagnosed with cancer. She had to have chemo therapy and was in and out of the hospital a lot. The doctors gave her 4 months to live, that was thirteen years ago. She was so strong that whole time. I can't imagine what that would be like, and I look up to her for that. Ruby was so sick for months and it was hard to see her like that. Just for her staying strong during this makes her my hero.

About six years ago our dad found out he had cancer too. He had to have open heart surgery and go through radiation. This made him really sick and it was so hard having to see him in so much pain. My sisters and I were always there for each and keep each other busy while my dad was sick. After my dad got better it was hard for him to work, so we were always tight on money. This in itself was hard for us, six people living on barely anything was very hard.

During the last four years my dad and his wife have separated and gotten back together probably three times. Our dad is an alcoholic and his drinking always caused issues with him and my stepmom. My sisters and I would go play in our rooms and pretend what was going on wasn't. If one of us was crying because of the fighting we tried to make them feel better. Ruby seemed to always try and be the problem solver and fix whatever she could. We all tried to make our parents happy because we didn't want them to fight.

In February of this year Raina and I moved out of our dad's house. This was really hard for Ruby and Nora, but mostly Ruby. We held each other together, it's been hard learning to live without each other. She's not here if I need to talk, and we can't just pick up the phone and call each other either. I try to visit as much as possible, but since I left my dad's on bad terms it's hard to go back and visit. Ruby isn't allowed to come and stay at my house, because my dad and stepmom don't like my mom. This is hard because I don't always have money, or time to drive up and go see them. Ruby is my hero because of all she's been through in her life, she is still alive and trying to be the best she can be, in spite of the circumstance she lives in.