13.1

we grew up almost ten years apart.
i was getting braces on she was learning to tie her shoes.
she scraped her knees i scraped up the car-again.
i was kissing boys she was trading stickers.
i though school was more of a social arrangement.
she was concerned about grad school before high school.
we fought. we fought like sisters do.
about space. about chores. about attention. about anything and everything.
i couldn't wait to move out. she wanted to stay forever.

sometime when i was trying to figure out how to be a mom. wife. person.
she grew up.
she graduated top in her class.
she was accepted into a big ten school.
she faced fears about herself and told the truth.
she stood up to those around her.
she was accepted into a top grad school.
she graduated with honors.
she fought against life.
she accepted a job that only she could do.
she teaches children to speak again.

tomorrow she runs. she runs 13.1 miles. she runs. she runs because she can. she runs because she has said no to so many temptations this year. she runs because she has trained for months. she runs because now she is learning. she is learning how amazing she is. she is learning that she is strong. she is learning that she doesn't have to run away anymore. she is learning that she just needs to put one foot in front of the other some days.

and i am learning. i am learning that she is strong. i am learning that she is determined. i am learning she is focused. i am learning she finishes her goals.
i am learning that i have never been prouder of who she is.
run rachel run.