I was child number three - the baby - the last child. I enjoyed the privileges that came with the last child’s position. I was spoilt by everyone. I was a happy baby and smiled a lot. Everyone wanted to hold me and was always swooning over me. All these things I am told - I do not remember any of it. I believe though because I still feel that family love.
Baby Bobby
Then at almost age 5 - my brother came. Now I had 2 brothers and 1 sister. We knew that my mother was having a baby and we were excited when she brought the baby home. I remember thinking that he was the chubbiest baby I had ever seen. I do not recall my mother telling us his name. I do recall that I mentioned that he was as chubby as the baby in my reading book. Everyone agreed. The baby was called Bob, so I told my mother, “Let’s call the baby Bobby!”
That has been my brother’s name all his life - most do not realise that he has another official name which is the name of our father. We loved and spoiled Bobby - we felt like his protector. With 2 boys and 2 girls in the family - we felt we had the perfect family.
We did not wish for more siblings.
My older sister
As we grew older, my sister who was only 3 years older than me, became a bookworm. She did not want to play. She was always in her room or snuggled up on the couch reading a book. I then realised that she was very shy and a girl of few words. For a short while, I wished I had a sister who took an interest in me instead of her books and her best friend who was also a bookworm. I loved reading as well but when I was reading adventure novels, she had graduated to romance novels.
Bonding - games and pies
Negative thoughts about my sister did not linger for long because we did other things together. We looked forward to our weekends. We would play Monopoly, Cluedo, Draughts, Snakes and Ladders and Ludo - seemingly endlessly. We loved every card game and also dominos. Bobby learnt to play these games earlier than we did by watching us. Soon he could join in with my mother helping him.
My sister and I would make Sunday desserts and cakes. I wrote about our family tradition in a prior post. We had fun baking together. We learnt from my mother and soon it was my sister teaching me. My sister was very good at it, she is now a master baker and even had her own baking business. Our family games and activities were great bonding and created memorable moments.
My older brother
For a while, my older brother was always there even if he was not playing with me. However, soon he was off on his bicycle with his friends. I was not allowed to touch his bicycle, it was his prized possession. I desperately wanted to learn to cycle but there were no girls doing that. Whenever he was not home - I would sneak out his bicycle to practice. My mom would see me trying but never stopped me. One fateful day, I lost control and careered into the gate although it was wide open. The bicycle handle became bent. My mom and I could not fix it. When my brother came home, he was so angry until I showed him my bruised leg. He felt sorry for me. Then he decided to teach me how to ride his bicycle and that is how I learnt. I would reciprocate by cleaning the bicycle and helping with repairs; that is how I learnt to patch a tire.
Staying connected
In my late teens and early 20’s, I became closer to my sister than we ever were as kids. Later we were overjoyed with the advent of cheaper calls and also video calls. Despite different time zones, we often literally hang out together whilst busy at home. I am in touch with my siblings minimum once per week. We often call each other to talk or listen. We have now figured out when it is a talking or listening call - otherwise we will certainly be told.
My siblings and I have very different characters. However, that is what is great when we get together. We can almost guess what will happen when we meet as we know each other so well.
One will be making jokes, one will philosophise and discuss life, one will complain about life and one will say it doesn’t matter - seize the day!
As siblings, we looked out for each other and that continued whilst we grew and even now, although we are far apart. Unfortunately, now we are all living in 4 different countries on 3 different continents. However, we always meet for important moments: marriages, significant birthdays, births, christening of our nieces and nephews etc.
Appreciation
I love and appreciate my family with all our idiosyncrasies, foibles and personalities. I would not want to change how we grew up together for anything. The good and the bad made us who we are today. I appreciate everything especially as I grow older. I guess this is the way it was meant to be and we appreciate each other as we are.
This is my response to Hive Learners contest about "Siblings"
The photo is my own