All the pictures of the chunky beagle are of my pet Esther. I love dressing her up in all different outfits! She’ll do anything for a treat. The two pictures with the black cats are my pets Bonny and Bixby. They are siblings and new additions to the family! They are the perfect blend of playful and affectionate. :)) Instagram handle: karlie.bick

It was in the middle of the school year, and I had a project to do. I was to make a memorable movie to post on my sisters YouTube. After much thinking and planning, we finally settled on an idea. I was to become the ugliest version of myself and go out in public! Even though the thought of running around in a scraggly wig and wearing blue eyeshadow up to my eyebrows scared me, I decided to do it anyways. The stares I got were horrific! However, I learned to not care what people thought and have fun.

I stared out my window, the feeling of emptiness enveloping me. Why was it so hard to make them happy? Nothing I did was enough. There always seemed to be something to argue about: The chores hadn't been done. I had used to much milk in my Chai tea. I hadn't spent enough time applying for jobs. My eyes started to burn. My throat started to ache. The backyard started to blur and colors blended together as water filled my eyes. The introvert inside of me wanted to crawl into a ball and hide in a corner, away from every human being. Suddenly, foot steps came down the hall and I hurriedly wiped my eyes with my sleeve. Chloe came rushing in the room. "Time to go," she said. I quickly slipped on my shoes, looking down as I worked. The car ride there seemed to rush by in an instant and before I knew it, my feet were carrying me towards the cafe. As the door opened, I looked around to see the familiar face. However at each and every table sat a person I had never seen. I continued my search until finally, I saw him. My brother. He came towards me with a smile lighting up his face. Arms came reaching towards me and I became enveloped in a big hug. All at once, the morning's happenings melted away. The tears welled up once again only this time, they were tears of happiness. As I pulled away, I took a good look at him. He still had his construction clothes on, paint and grime clinging to the fabric, for he hadn't had time to change before our get-together. His hair stuck to his head, flat from all the sweat his hat had kept in. Never before had I noticed how thin he was. All the stress from working two jobs and supporting a wife had taken its toll on his looks. Once we got our coffees and sat down, the problems of the day started oozing out of my mouth. Jackson just sat there, listening, and taking everything I was saying in. His countenance showed nothing but compassion and understanding. It wasn't until I finished talking that he spoke. With wisdom beyond compare, he let me know that everything was going to be okay. He reminded me that I was not alone. He made me feel heard, seen. He truly made me feel loved and valued. Since that moment in C. Oliver coffee and flower bar, my brother has reminded me again and again of what it is to be a role model for someone. He is certainly mine. No where else can I find a person more hardworking, dedicated, compassionate, caring, or wise. He has continually reminded me to look at the positive in life. I look at him and see everything I want to be. Even though he doesn't make much money right now, he chose a career path that he thought would make him happy in the long run. By never giving up on his dreams, I have learnt to pursue mine. He has inspired me to pursue a career in fashion, regardless of how rich I become. By remaining strong and bold throughout every trial he faces, I have learnt how to grow in the midst of my trials and become a better person through them. Not one person can deny that my brother is a force to be reckoned with. I only hope that one day I may grow to be half the person he is. By mimicking how he lives his life, my brother has shaped me into the person I am today. Though there are many people who have spoken into my life, there is one who tops all. One day, when people ask me how I came to be successful in running a fashion business, I'll tell them. I will loudly proclaim, "My brother! I owe all to my brother, Jackson."