“I think your apple was a pear.”

I was talking to my dad and sister on our “used to be weekly, now it is like every two or three weeks” family Zoom calls. We were discussing our family and how I am sure I was adopted because my sister and I are opposites in so many ways. I have a 95% on time rate, she is late 87% of the time. I know where my wallet and keys are, she is usually searching the couch cushions for one or both of them. I moved 3,000 miles away and pay rent so others can pay their mortgage. She owns a house in the city we grew up in. I can catch a ball. She cannot. She can dance. I look like a chicken walking on glass when I attempt to do so. She is an amazing mother. My biological clock must have never had batteries. She is crafty and has construction paper, markers, paint, glue, scissors, knick knacks and all the things to stop and make gift bags for any situation. Knick knacks are my worst enemy.

On that call my dad had mentioned that the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. To which I responded, “my apple fell off the tree and rolled down the hill” and then my sister quickly replied, “I am pretty sure your apple was a pear.” She has a point.

We grew up in the same home town, with the same parents and the same community. So why are we so different?

I believe it is because we both found our passions and are carving our very own paths.

She is a teacher who has a strong group of friends at home - many of whom she sat next to in the 1st grade and live within 15 miles of her still. She has a son and is dedicated to his development , education and future. She organizes the family Christmas Eve party down to the gingerbread houses and the Saran Wrap ball game.

I am a coach who moved away at the age of 18 and have lived in six different cities, four different states and have had 18 different apartments. My friend group is mostly made up of people I met later in life and they live all over the nation. I have a dog and am dedicated to his development, education on how not to growl at the toaster oven and his future walks. I show up to the family parties, win the gingerbread contest and cringe over the amount of plastic wrap used in that game. (Mother Nature and I are better friends since I moved to California).

I am proud of my sister’s path and I am proud of mine. Yes, we grew up in the same two story house on the same street with the same neighbors and the same parents. And yet, we each found our passions and our paths and follow them. These led us to very different places but we always find our way back home.

Where is your path going?

Are you following your passions?

Are you the apple or are you the pear?