I just lost my father. Those four words hold a significance I never anticipated experiencing so profoundly. Grief is intricate; it always arrives with companions. With it came a weight—a weight I never expected to bear so abruptly. I have a younger sister named Sophie, and she’s only 12 years old. Given the nearly two-decade age difference, I’ve often felt more like a father to her than a brother.

When my father passed, Sophie’s world broke apart in a way that no child should ever have to experience. Our mother passed away when Sophie was still a baby, leaving our father to raise her by himself. With both parents gone, Sophie faced a deep and painful uncertainty regarding her future.

The question quickly emerged: who would look after Sophie? Our family faced two clear choices—me, her older brother, or our uncle, who resided across the country. I understood that Sophie had a deep affection for our uncle, yet I was also aware that she regarded me as her support, her unwavering presence. I decided to take the most straightforward approach: I asked her directly.

“Sophie, I require your honesty.” With whom do you wish to share your living space?

She responded right away and…. READ MORE