Today, I am thankful for my siblings.
If you couldn't tell, I'm the baby. Growing up, the age difference between my siblings and I was pretty significant, and by the time I was old enough to remember, they had already moved out of the house. I grew up like an only child and didn't have the same experience most people have with their siblings. We didn't get in fights over toys, because, well... I don't think my sister cared about my barbies when she was 18. We didn't have to fight over who got to use the car, because, well... I was still using a car seat. You get the point. Big age difference.
They ended up moving to different states, and while they were having kids, I was in elementary and middle school so there wasn't a whole lot for me to relate to. It wasn't anyones fault, but we just didn't have a lot in common. They were concerned about their jobs and taking care of their kids, and I was learning multiplication tables and figuring out what to take for "show and tell" at school.
Over time, we've developed much more meaningful relationships and the age difference has become less of a gap (or so it seems). We all have jobs, homes, responsibilities and I'm finally enough to sit at the adult table. My siblings are all unique and I love each of them dearly.
Bob is the right-wing conservative, also the oldest, who has the most amazing wife in the world, who I consider one of my sisters. They have 4 beautiful kids (pretty much all adults actually) and live in Utah. He reminds me so much of my dad.
Mark (Mossy) lives in Washington with his wife Sandra. He has 4 kids (again, almost all adults, one with a baby on the way) and is the most laid back. He's a meat-and-potatoes guy and doesn't like to be the center of attention or do any crazy things (he politely declined the skydiving trip).
Steve lives in Arkansas with his wife Tracy and their cute little daughter, Kylie (who is not even close to being an adult, thank goodness!) They live in a small (dry) town on a cattle ranch and are the best parents to their little girl.
Debbie lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband, Chett. I had the honor of being the matron of honor in their wedding a couple years ago and it meant the world to me. She has two grown kids, both of whom she raised as a single mom. She's been through a lot and deserves all the good things that have come her way.
We're all very different but compliment each other well and share the same sense of humor that we get from our dad. I love the relationships that we've built over time and can't wait to continue to create more memories together.
Bob, Mark, Steve and Debbie-- thank you for being who you are and for letting me be your baby sister, I love you guys!
2 comments:
No wonder I like you so much... My brothers are 9 & 8 years older then me... I share a similar relationship with them.
Luckily, my eldest brother, Chris, didn't have kids until he was 30, so his kids are closer in age to my son.
But I grew up pretty much and only child (and the only girl - and female grandchild as well). My brother, Joel, lived with his mom, so I didn't get to know him until way later (after our dad passed away) But now, they are some of my closest friends...
I kind of like having the big age gap... You get the benefits of being an only child and not having to share attention and toys... BUT you get the benefits of sibilings =) (maybe I'll reconsider not having any more kids... but first I gotta find a daddy)
Love this!!
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