My mother gave birth to me and only me, yet I was never an only child. I have no biological brothers or sisters yet I have never been alone. From the day I opened my eyes, there has always been another person by my side. A person I grew up with, one who taught me many things that I know today, a person who stood by my side through obstacles in my life. This person is my cousin, or shall I say my sister Catherine Tran. Catherine and I were different in many ways, yet just as similar as well. Catherine and I shared our love with punches, pushes and enormous hugs that were so tight, it made it hard to breathe. I used to play on the swings while Catherine picked at little worms. We would go to the mall, and split up as she wanted to go to EB Games, while I wanted to shop for clothes. Our differences only made our friendship, and love stronger. My cousins Michelle, Elizabeth,Miki and I have countless memories with Catherine. I remember making fashion show videos, dueling with yu-gi-oh cards, and teaching each other how to do summersaults in the water.

We all believe that nobody is perfect, but looking back at Catherine’s accomplishments, goals, and personality, I believe that Catherine was truly perfect. Catherine was talented in piano, but this is not why she was perfect. Catherine was intelligent and gave everything that she did 101% , but this is not what made her perfect. Catherine lived her life not carrying of what other’s thought. She did what she believed was right, did what she wanted to do. Catherine lived everyday of her life to the fullest. She never took no as an answer, and never put second place as an option. I remember playing badminton with Catherine and if I had won a single game, she would make sure that she beat me in all of the rest. She had an unbelievably strong spirit, and great confidence. It was easy to see from her mother’s eyes when she played piano that there was great pride, and happiness as her father saw her give it her all on the badminton court. Catherine was awarded the most value player of the badminton team. She is not perfect because she could win me any day, but perfect because she did not give up until she played to the best of her ability. Perfect because she had just the right amount of skill and confidence. Catherine was beautiful from inside and out.

It has been the hardest week of my life, but my family continues to tell me that I must be strong. My relatives tell me that Catherine would not want us to cry, would not want us to be sad, to not be scared. I used to have a fear of birds, but now I would like to think of Catherine as a bird. Free, peaceful, and always with us. Catherine, I love you more than any words can explain. I know that you are happy. I want you to know that we are happy because we know you are. You don’t need to worry about us. We will forever miss you, and be thinking of the wonderful person that you were.

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