The Wondrous Sea of Areana and Mondree

The rings of the underwater kingdom shone brightly under the light of the unrealistically large full moon that illuminated the horizon. The peaceful beauty that was Areana's home was embraced each night with her big sisterly love. She couldn't help but smile and pinch herself as the rays bounced off of the crystal dome, refracting rainbows in the dark, deep ocean.

It was little Mondrees first birthday and despite her age, both Areana and Mondree were wiser and an air of jovial mirth glazed the underwater home she shared with her sibling. A mere twelve months had already passed since little Mondree family had been welcomed, which seemed to happen in an instant for Areana.

Twelve months of late nights, early mornings, newfound responsibility, and an all-consuming guilt; that dwelled in her gut like an alltoo- noticeable anchor from her past. Areana, who was barely a grown woman, was left alone with her baby sister in the underwater kingdom - no parents, no guardians, and seemingly no attainable guidance through their new life either.

Areana worked hard and Mondree acted as a reminder, a reminder of her purpose as a surrogate caretaker as well as a mentor the young one so desperately needed. Little Mondree brought an undeniable shift in her big sisters world, making the home feel empty when she wasn’t present, but most of all, young her brought fresh, heartwarming hope when everything seemed dark and desolate.

But it wasn’t always doom and gloom in Areana’s world. She was optimistic and determined despite her circumstances. Everyday as they were growing, they were discovering something new, but it was more mental than physical growth.

It was in Areana's embrace that Mondree learnt courage and ambition, it was in Areana's bedtime stories where Mondree distilled the funny and expansive language of the ocean's magical inhabitants, connecting with Areana in a way she was never able to with anyone else - it was real, raw and meant more to Areana than anything else in her world.

On her own, Areana realised that words have magical power; that moments with her sibling, despite the strain, could fuel and transmit hope.

Areana remembered the party, for Mondree’s one-year-mark, she was holding her tight, her strength surging and guiding little Mondree home. Areana recalled the slins and slangs that she spoke incoherently with her. Mondree's arms pressing against her chest and the life in Areana’s laughter that somehow followed.

‘We gotta keep grinding girl’, her soul buzzed with vibes of jubilant assurance that indeed she and her baby was stronger together, ‘Mom and Dad ain’t here, so there ain’t nothing but us.’

Time kept traveling, years soon followed as Areana’s side-squeezing taught Mondree these vital lessons in life. Of understanding, resilience and bravery, but Areana’s biggest problem was deciding when it was appropriate to let go and allow their wings to take flight.

Letting go was the only way the two could ever make sense of the world around them, that their complicated little world could reach equilibrium but it wasn’t easy for either of them. Through days spent together, hopelessly looking for answers, to long nights spent alone, Areana silently recognized that guidance comes in many forms, hug from your friends or touch from your baby sister.

The young duo had rapidly accelerated through their fast-paced life, never expected or un-thrown by a single challenge, they kept grinding and Mondree mustered up enough strength to fly up a bit more.

Dolorous anticipation clouded Areana’s heart, but this was something that needed to occur as part of a healthy individual along with well-being of their future as joined together. With tears in their eyes, Areana let go of Mondree's tiny hand and let her go her own way, feeling the heart-wrecking alteration of emotions that the scene around her ricocheted from her life.

But hope perked Areana up, would Mondree one day survive the deep under subacute rooms of reality and love, restore her house to her illuminating hopes and visions or remain caught up in the motions of life?

The future was unknown for the siblings as the motion of floating controlled them as much as memory does and it was here, underwater that the true heart of their story unfolded.

Areana clung to the moment, the moment when she could witness twelve months worth of motherly love, grasp closure came to the feeling of change and hold on to the smiles that not only brightened Mondrees face but hers too. Their eyes shut tightly, they shared the warmth of two lost but desperate, slowly realizing what it all meant - that sometimes, in order, to keep growing we sometimes need to let go.

The future was unknown, but the moment was clear. Areana’s life was changed thanks to her sister and, in the end, they were two liberated sisters that shared an underlapping sliver of hope and joy between them.