If there is ever a tomorrow that we are not together, there is one thing you should always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is: even if we're part, I will always be with you in the heart. -- Winnie the Pooh This is a quote from Winnie the Pooh, my little sister's favorite silly, old bear. It's also something that my sister and I tell each other often. It's been really difficult for her since I left for college and this saying helps reassure her that we are always together. My sister was born July 17, 2002. I was 8 years old. I remember being so excited that I was finally a big sister. I got to help feed her, burp her, play with her however; I did draw the line at changing diapers! She was 17 months old when our lives changed forever. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I really didn't understand what was going on. I knew that she had to have surgery. I knew she was very sick. She had been in the hospital for almost a month when I found out even more distressing news, my parents would have to take she to Memphis, TN to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for treatment and I couldn't go with them. She underwent another surgery and she had to have 36 radiation treatments and she and my parents were gone for the longest 4 months of my life! When she came back she had to learn everything all over again. She used a walker to help her walk. She had to learn how to talk again. I played with her, I read to her, and no matter what she had gone through, she still had a smile on her face. She would look at me with those big brown eyes and big smile and she would melt my heart. For a long time, we were inseparable. We did everything together. I was in a bowling league and she came ever Saturday morning to cheer me on! She has been my little cheerleader in everything I have done. Now fast forward a few years and she is walking, talking, and acting like the typical little sister. Always into my stuff! Always following me! Always copying me!! UGH!! So annoying! Then I remember how lucky I am. How lucky she is. She has been through so much in her short little life. She has several challenges that she faces daily. Because of radiation, she has lost all of the hearing in her right ear and most of it in her left ear. She is constantly off balance and has difficulty walking and running is next to impossible, but she tries! She also has a learning disability. She has to work three times as hard as her friends at the simplest of things, but she does it. There is so much more that she wants to do but her little body won't let her. She does get frustrated but never gives up. She is now a 12 year cancer survivor and she recently celebrated her thirteenth birthday. She is on the cheer squad at her school and loves every minute of it. She has taught me that there is nothing I can't do. When things get tough and I think I can't handle it, I look at She and how she's managed the challenges in her life and it makes me believe in myself. She has never given up and neither will I. I go back home as much as I can to see her. We catch up, I take her to the movies and do things that sisters do! When I can't, we face time, text, talk on the phone. I miss her everyday but I remember our saying from Pooh bear, she is so much braver than she believes, so much stronger than she seems and smarter than she things and even if we're apart, I will always be with you in the heart.