Experiences - pt. 1: Siblings
When someone says they have siblings most people don’t think anything of it unless they also have siblings. All of a sudden it's some sort of contest. How many siblings do you have? Are they younger or older than you? How old are they? Brother or sister? Do you get along?
Answer: I have 3 younger sisters who are 20, 18, and 17 years old. We were sworn enemies when we were younger but now I can’t imagine life without them by my side.
Having sisters makes for an interesting life as I was never truly bored. I always had someone to watch a movie with, go to the park with, go on a drive to Maverick with, gossip with, etc etc. Growing up I had one sister who was filled with unfathomable amounts of rage, I was honestly a little afraid of her and I wholeheartedly believe that she drew power from that fear. She was rambunctious, sassy, and a little spitfire. We did not get along at all, I felt I was more calm and collected, less likely to fight someone over a misplaced cracker. But seeing as this is my memory I could be mistaken but I’d like to think I’m mostly correct. She mellowed out around age 13 or so and became quite the little bookworm. She is now very kindhearted and while she doesn’t understand my sense of humor in the slightest we get along quite well and she is no longer chasing me around the house with knives which I am immensely grateful for. She’s very much a loner but sometimes she’ll accept my offer to go get a drink or go to the store.
Another one of my sisters is 4 years younger than me but I don’t remember us not getting along. We always seemed to understand one another minus the petty fights girls are bound to get into over who had to do what around the house or who stole what from the other’s room. Currently she is still the one I go to for anything. She’s immediately on my side no matter what happens and is very honest with her opinions which is hard to do sometimes. Anything from new jobs to breakups, she is there for me.
My youngest sister was the precious baby for most of my childhood. All I remember is she got what she wanted, she was cute as hell, and she was a total snitch. You couldn’t tell the girl anything without her telling our mom. It got to the point where I couldn’t say anything around her without getting in trouble for something or other, it was insane. As soon as she got out of that phase though, we were thick as thieves. It wasn’t like we were getting into trouble but we had our secrets of course. We spend a lot of our time together, even when she has friends over she always fills me in on the gossip and wants my opinion even though I’m almost 5 years out of high school. We relate to one another in so many ways and that makes it really easy to be friends.
Another thing about having siblings, you will never stop laughing. I can’t remember how many times I laughed until my sides hurt over something my siblings said or did. We have ongoing bits and skits that we do to make the other laugh or feel included and it's funny every time. Half the time it's not even nice things, we can be truly ruthless. But we have learned where the boundaries are even though it was the hard way pretty much every time. It just goes to show how important proper communication is. But you live and you learn I guess.
For those who have siblings but you are estranged or don’t get along, I implore you to think of the relationship you could have with them. I am extremely fortunate for the relationships I have with my siblings and I am not going to pretend I understand what you may be going through since every situation is unique but siblings are a blessing. An annoying blessing sometimes but still a blessing. My one big piece of advice would be communication. Open up the conversation, say what you feel and how you want to feel. Reach out and make it clear that you want a better relationship because you shouldn’t have to settle for less just because it's hard. I know when my siblings and I have a fight I want to be stubborn and feel that I have done no wrong but that is almost never true. In the end I apologized and cleared the air and even set boundaries once I realized how beneficial they can be. Don’t get me wrong, this is no easy task. It can seem nearly impossible at times. But it is so worth it.
As humans, relationships sustain us and being genetically linked makes those relationships even more prevalent as you go forth in your life, growing and changing. These people can grow and change with you and even help you if you let them. I think if you have the chance and the privilege to form a healthy relationship then you should do it, you deserve it.
I’m sure I have more thoughts on this topic but I can’t think of any at the moment so I will leave with this. Thank you for reading! If you want to talk, comment, or add to the piece then message me through emails or socials:)
Sincerely,
TH
