My sister was born three months premature.

So, allow me to state the obvious and point out that while most of us get to incubate for nine months, she had six. Naturally, this led to all sorts of “guaranteed” issues she would face in her life that ran the entire spectrum of health problems.

·         The first was that she would be totally brain dead.

·         That changed into “mostly brain dead, but also blind.”

·         Which turned into “okay, she might be able to see, but she’ll have crippling learning disabilities.”

Recently, People magazine ran an article, title “When Miracle Babies Grow Up!” about severely premature babies who grew up to lead successful, normal lives. The piece talked about how these miracle babies managed to overcome all of the horrible odds stacked against them, and covered five to six individuals’ birth weights and time before birth. One baby was born at 1 pounds, 4 ounces at 24 weeks. Another was 1 pound, 8 ounces, but born at 23 weeks. These were the most extreme examples this article could find individuals beating the odds.

Well, my sister was born at 27 weeks, and was 1 pound 3 ounces.  And despite all of the foreboding warnings and terrible prognosis’s, you couldn’t tell the difference between her and anyone else. Well, scratch that. She just graduated among the top of her class and earned a full ride university scholarship. And she plays a mean piano. And clarinet.

I imagine if she knew I was writing this (which she might), she probably wouldn’t be a huge fan of me blasting her entire history across the internet. Too bad! If you, good reader, are beginning to realize that this article is just a way for me to brag about my sister, then yes, you’re right. I’ve been caught. She just graduated high school and I’m feeling sentimental.

I’m super proud of her for everything she does, regardless, but the fact that she was able to overcome to get where she is today is truly amazing. She’s one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever known, and I’m lucky enough to have her as a sister.

So congratulations! This is only step one of your world domination. I’m excited to see all of the great things you have and will accomplish. When you make it big, remember you dead-weight, hobo brother…