Main life component #4: Family

Back to what's most important. As anyone probably could have guessed, family is included in the list of the most important things in my life. Again, this list isn't in any kind of order, so please don't think to yourself "Wow! What kind of girl puts school in front of family?" I don't (if it weren't for the good graces of my parents and a certain deceased grandfather, I wouldn't even be able to go to school right now).

The majority of my extended family is important to me (and I say "the majority" because I have an enormous family and there are plenty of relatives I don't associate with), but my immediate family is, of course, my favorite. Instead of trying to group the three of them into a category, I'm going to take advantage of separate paragraphs and spell out their personalities and my relationship with each of them, which contrast about as much as white contrasts with black.

1. Therese "TC" (Little sister)
Therese and I are like night and day, and that goes for personalities, interests, and looks. She inherited what I like to call the "good" genes: long legs, fast metabolism, pretty light brown hair and eyes. She is about 5'7" at 14 years old. I, on the other, will probably never grow the five inches she has on me, and I have to work to keep a slender figure. My eyes aren't quite brown, but not fully green, and I'm not actually sure what my real hair color is, except that it's too dark to be blonde and too light to be brown. All that being said, when Therese and I stand next to each other, she thinks it's funny to call me "little sister" even though I've got over five years on her. To that, I say, "That's okay. Mom asked if I wanted a sibling before she went and got pregnant with you. If I didn't say yes, you wouldn't be alive."

Our humor with each other is odd and I'd imagine an outsider would look at us and not understand why we are at each other's throats one second and laughing about an inside joke the next. I'm positive it has to do with being siblings- growing up in the same house with the same parents and situations. We do things together when we can, but these days we don't see much of each other (that never seemed to be a problem with her, who moved into my old bedroom the second I got the last box out).
I'm sure we'll always have a relationship similiar to the one we have now, but I'm not concerned with. We have a better relationship than most.

2. Mikie (Mom)
My mom and I are getting along for the first time since I can remember. I know it has to do with my being older- the more I age, the more fun we have together. We still argue occassionally, but I know she always loves me and vice-versa. She has always been the parent that encouraged me to go for what I want instead of what other people (including my father) tells me to do.

3. Tom (Dad)
My dad and I don't see much of each other now, but he and I have always had a close relationship. He is the more traditional and strict parent, but he spoils me as much as he sees fit, too. Thanks to him, my name is Ashlee Jordan instead of Jordan Christina, and he will forever have my praise for that.