Sister becomes a family's strength when brothers are sent overseas

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

By Krisa Keller

Feb. 7, 2003, was an ordinary day for the rest of the world, but a day that would change my life forever. I can remember arriving home from school, excited about the weekend. I headed downstairs to watch TV but was intercepted by the look on my father's face. It was emotionally strained, as if he'd been crying.

	Daniel Marsula, Post-Gazette

"Your brothers," he said. "They both got called up."

My mind stopped its normal Friday thinking, and I tried to visualize what that meant. My brothers, both in the Army Reserve, had been called to duty. I never realized how much of an influence they have had on me until then. Keith, 20, and Joshua, 18, would not only be called up but would be sent overseas.

I felt I had to be the strong one, the one to hold back tears. I decided to go to my room and just let my emotions run and my thoughts flow. Alone. I felt alone. My brothers have taught me more things in my 17 years of life than I could learn in 70 without them. I thought to myself: Determination, gratitude and strength were their three biggest lessons.

I began to feel that the things I did were partially for each of them. It was time that I proved the worth of what they had taught me. I became focused, keeping their advice in the back of my mind when doing work. I developed lists of goals; I prioritized more, wanting to be successful for them.

My brother Keith would tell me during his monthly call, "Krisa, try your best, take school seriously, don't end up like me."

I felt pain for him, but realized that if I were successful, some of his pain could go away. I became more determined to excel. I didn't give up on my junior year or start my senior year off with "senioritis." I got my head on straight.

Then I moved on from the mental aspect to the social aspect.

Since I'm the youngest and the only girl, I expected a lot to come easily. I used to do things without thinking of the consequences. I never really took a lot of time to appreciate the things I have and the things that are given to me.

E-mails from Joshua start, "It's 140 degrees here today, yeah almost unbearable."

After reading that, I'd think, "Wow, I complained because it's barely 80."

Further on he'd write, "I was able to shower today after 2 weeks," or "The drinking water we were given isn't as hot today."

Things I did without thinking, I now take time to appreciate, such as a tall glass of cold water or a hot shower. I find myself feeling more thankful, even for something as simple as throwing on sweats, lying down on the couch and watching TV. I'm learning now to take nothing for granted.

Lastly, my brothers have made me into a stronger person. I don't mean in the big brother-little sister fighting kind of way; I mean emotionally. I've learned to deal with this issue better than anyone else in my family. I owed it to my brothers to do so.

One thing they both told me before they left was, "Krisa, promise us you'll be the strongest. If Mom and Dad can see you, the youngest, staying strong, they'll stay strong."

I thought about that statement for a long time. It didn't just give me advice or tell me how to cope, but it showed me how much my brothers cared and how they knew I could accept this duty. Their confidence in me is a gift you can't put a price on.

It's now Sept. 21 as I finish writing this essay. Seven months since they left, and seven months more till they return. I live one day at a time and accept each day with gratitude. I owe each day to my best friends, my inspirations and my influences -- my brothers.

Krisa Keller is a senior at Mt. Lebanon High School. Her e-mail address is kkarmy@adelphia.net .

E-mail this story   Print this story