13 Years Have Lapsed

I just finished reading Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die. I read it once when I was about 9; I checked it out from the library and devoured it in a few days. It made me cry and I loved it because I saw a lot of myself in it. I too was an awkward young girl with glasses and stringy straight hair. I too had an older sister that was gorgeous and popular. I too was very interested in photography, but since my sister seemed to get most of the attention, I couldn't ask my dad to teach me how to take pictures.

I did not; however, lose my sister to leukemia. I am lucky in that we grew together over the years and I count her as one of the best friends I have ever had. I remember that when I finished reading it, I went home and told my sister that I loved her. The lesson of that book has stayed with me subconsciously all my life.

The last lines in the book touched me, "I shook my head. 'You made me beautiful,' I said shyly. 'Meg,' he laughed, putting one arm over my shoulders, 'you were beautiful all along.' " I remember hoping that someday I'd feel that way too; that someday I'd finally feel beautiful.

Now I'm 22 and I've just finished reading it for the second time. I cried again this time, it still makes me want to call my sister all those miles away. It's funny though, the last few lines still make me feel the same way too.