Defining Moment

A defining moment in my life was when I found out that my non-married sister was pregnant. I was seventeen, two years younger than her. I remember my mom calling me and my brother into her room. As we approached the door I could hear my sister softly crying. Right then my whole body went numb. I knew something was wrong. We sat in silence for a little bit until my sister was able to speak. With tears streaming down her face, she quietly spoke,"I'm pregnant." All of a sudden everything went blurry and I couldn't see straight. That was the last thing I was expecting her to say. I looked in my mom's eyes and could see how much this saddened her. When she was done I gave her a hug and went to my room. I locked the door and started crying. I thought, "How could she do something like this." What was she thinking? I was disappointed.. She was my big sis. I looked up to her and she let me down. That's what I thought at the time.
Even though she lived with us I ignored her. I more or less made her feel like an outcast in our own family. I was a horrible sister. I remember my dad saying, "What's done is done. Let's just deal with it and move on." He was so nonchalant about it. Hearing the news didn't phase him a bit. The saying, "Forgive and forget" seemed impossible. I wanted to fogive her, but I couldn't. My teenage stubbornness resented her for the next two years.
Looking back on this event I've now come to realize how petty I was. Where was my loyalty and support for my sister when she needed me the most?
Now, I have the cutest niece ever and I wouln't trade her for anything. You never realize how important you family is. When you feel alone they're always there, ready to listen. Even though my sister my not know it she changed my life. I feel that she helped me become a better person.