Viewpoints Staffer Sylvia Robinson (left) poses next to her sister Eleanor (right) in front of a holiday background in their ballet class in Minneapolis in 2012. After Eleanor left for college in 2024, Sylvia reflected on their past time together. “Although I don’t always show it I’ve always been grateful for the things she’s taught me, like advice or expressing better communication skills because of her,” Sylvia wrote. Photo courtesy of Chad Robinson
Viewpoints Staffer Sylvia Robinson reflects on her struggles without her sister, who recently left for college, and coming to terms with them.
I look out the window as I watch my sister, Eleanor, leave to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design one early morning in late August 2024.
With her gone, I’m left with almost nothing but our shared memories, from begging her to play with me to gossiping about drama on our old bunk bed or driving around Athens while blasting music. I understood that I was going to lose one of my best friends.
The first week she was gone was rough, and not being able to annoy or talk to her in person was difficult. I didn’t realize how how much I’d miss her until we were no longer living under the same roof.
Similar to many siblings, we’d always bicker with one another. Though there were times when I didn’t want to deal with her, I forgot we have a bond and are meant to stick together. Although I don’t always show it, I’m grateful for the advice she’s given me.
Now, it’s been a year and I’ve gotten better at being the only child in my home. I’ve realized this is what it will be like in the future, and I remind myself that she’s following her dream as an illustrator and animator.
Our relationship has only grown stronger. Even though we don’t speak as often as we used to, we try our best to call each other whenever we can.
Even after nights of catching up, I still find myself rushing to my sister’s room to tell her the news I heard from my friends, only to open a door to an empty bedroom.
Looking at the leftover tape on the walls from the posters she brought with her to college, the always-made bed that hasn’t been touched since she left and the built up dust on her window sill, I catch myself missing her all the same.
But nonetheless, I understand that although she’s far away, our bond could never be broken and never will be for as long as we live.
