A Week With My Sister

There’s something profoundly beautiful about stepping into your sister’s life, even if you’re not quite feeling like yourself yet. Somehow, I managed to navigate the endless TSA lines at Malpensa, multiple connections, and finally land in Washington DC, making my way to Alexandria where Julia and her family were living temporarily while their house underwent renovations. I still wasn’t fully “back” from my last episode, but something deep inside knew I needed this – needed to be with family, to make memories, even if they might take a while to fully come back to me.

Walking through their door in Alexandria, just a few streets over from their usual home and conveniently next to our favorite food store (after Whole Foods of course), I felt a wave of connection wash over me. There was Julia, my incredible sister (and Luke inside), Mark (6), Diana (2+), and Christi, their amazing nanny who helps make Julia’s life a little more manageable. Pete was there for the first few days before heading off to Turkey for a wedding, which gave us some precious family time before it became the siblings-plus-kids adventure.

Before Pete headed out for the wedding, we did have a chance to spend an evening out on “date-night”, visiting a great American Dinner where we had staples like the BLT with a milkshake and delicious fries. Right next to our dinner spot, a social arcade full of fun games that we got to enjoy. While I did beat Pete at darts, he caught up on shuffleboard, leaving us tied for the night. A few pictures later, we headed back home as Pete and Julia enjoyed a game of Final Fantasy and I watched them play.

The couch became my sanctuary for the week, and honestly? I couldn’t have been happier. There’s something so special about just sliding into someone else’s daily routine, especially when that someone is your sister. Our mornings had this beautiful rhythm to them – breakfast preparations, getting Mark ready for school (an adventure in itself), and then the best part of my day: hours of playing with Diana, showing both kids magic tricks, and just being present in their world.

“I’m making memories for later,” became my mantra during those first few days, especially during the mornings when the fog was still heavy. I’d tell this to my mom during our calls, and it was true. Even when I wasn’t quite sure who I was or how I’d ended up somewhere, I knew that every laugh, every hug, every moment of pure joy was being carefully stored away, waiting for me to fully return to myself.

The weekend without Pete turned into this amazing sibling adventure. Julia and I tag-teamed everything, from keeping the kids entertained to managing the household. We had so many “firsts”: the first (and thanks to our mosquito friends, last) pool day in their backyard, a wonderful strawberry picking expedition up in Virginia, and my introduction to what would become one of my new favorite movies – “Luck.” Our afternoons were filled with “Encanto” and “Elemental,” with Diana’s favorite songs becoming the soundtrack to our car rides.

Julia’s cooking was, as always, absolutely incredible. Between meals, we’d catch up on everything – sharing news, thoughts, and all those little life updates that somehow never make it through our digital communications. Watching her with Mark and Diana, seeing how she’s grown into this amazing mother, so fulfilled and radiant in her role, filled my heart in ways I can’t quite describe.

Playing with Diana was pure joy – watching her personality shine through in every interaction. Building things with Mark and fully immersing myself in his world of games and imagination brought back memories of when I was his age. Even through the fog of recovery, these moments were crystal clear, precious gems I knew I’d treasure forever.

Leaving was incredibly hard. The week had flown by in a blur of laughter, hugs, and family moments. But more than anything, I left with a heart full of new memories, even if some took a little longer to fully surface. Sometimes the best medicine isn’t found in pills or therapy sessions, but in the simple joy of being with family, in making memories even when you’re not quite sure you’ll remember them, in the trust that love and connection can bridge any gap – even the ones in our own minds.

Love from Alexandria,
Julian