The Promise

My little sister made me promise her something before she died. She was twelve. I was fifteen. The leukemia had taken everything from her — her hair, her strength, her future — but not her spirit.\n\n"Promise me you'll live enough for both of us," she whispered.\n\n"I promise," I said, holding her hand.\n\nShe died three days later.\n\nFor a long time, I didn't keep that promise. I was consumed by grief. Then, on the tenth anniversary of her death, I realized I had been wasting the gift she never got.\n\nI quit my job, sold my apartment, and bought a one-way ticket.\n\nI've been traveling for two years. I've seen the Northern Lights, hiked through jungles, learned to surf. I've made friends in countries I couldn't find on a map.\n\nI'm living enough for two. I'm living for her.\n\nI think she'd be proud.