Siblings

[bderby]

I am number 2 of 4. Older sister (Melissa aka mlewis), then me, then a brother, then another sister. Melissa and I are just at 2 years apart and are very close (even though we live 9 hours apart), we talk in one way or another almost every day. I am not as close with my younger sister, but my sisters and mom and I maintain a group text where we 'talk' and share photos quite a bit which has definitely helped bring us closer--my two sisters live close to one another, but the rest of us are all separated. I am not very close with my brother for a lot of different reasons.

Regarding birth order, it is funny because when I was in college and right out of college, people used to always tell me that I acted like I was a first born and i definitely see how my youngest sister is the baby of the family.

I love when our family gets together, the cousins play, we sit around and drink coffee, laugh, solve the world's problems--it is the best!!

 

[bderby]

I forget that he is gone from this world all the time...his birthday is Sunday, and it will be so strange to me, to have the 13th of July pass without him.
So love those sisters that get on your nerves, and brothers that are butts...lol I understand some cross the lines of decency and for your own health and lives you have to cut them out. But time has a way of stealing precious moments from the ones we grew up together with also.

thanks for sharing this, Anne. My brother -who I don't always get along with--his birthday is Sunday too. I have been wanting to make an extra effort to reach out to him and you are inspiring me to do make sure that I do!

 

[rmcabana]

I have a brother, who's a year younger than me, and a sister who's four years younger. We're all pretty close and live pretty much near each other. When we were younger, we would kind of gang up on each other 2-1 and fought a lot. But we did spend a lot of time together since our parents worked a lot. My brother and sister both work as teachers in the same school district. My brother is really handy and he's always coming over to fix stuff or move stuff or build stuff. I'm the family photographer and IT person. And my sister still kind of is the youngest in that it's all about her - but she's still my best friend! I am really lucky to have them.

 

[yellowpeep]

It's so interesting to hear about your family dynamics!
I have a brother who is three years younger than me. Although we grew up in a very loving family, he and I are just about as different as two people can get. I need things predictable and orderly and he's a spontaneous free spirit. He was such a rascal growing up that no one in school ever really knew my name… I was always referred to as "_______'s sister." He's really smart and I suspect he has some sort of ADHD or bipolar condition, although he's never been formally diagnosed.
He was on and off every kind of drug imaginable as a teenager and young adult which was very stressful on our family. He went through a lovely stage during which he was clean for about 10 years and started a family. Then when my Mom was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer it became too much for him to bear. He overdosed two weeks before she died and was away at rehab when she finally passed away. Throughout our lives together, he has been both incredibly supportive and incredibly cruel to me. I have struggled to remain loving and compassionate to him because, as Anne so eloquently stated, you never know what's on the horizon. At the end of the day, I want to look back and say that, regardless of the way I was treated, I loved him the best way I could. He is my only sibling, after all.

Whew! I've never actually written any of that down before. Thanks for giving me a chance to gather my thoughts about it.

 

[Brandi]

Wow, Liana. What a heart touching story. You are an incredible woman and he should be so lucky to have you! (Which I'm sure he feels that way!)

 

[hamommy]

Sorry about your Mom, hamommy.

Thank you.
Shes been sick for about a year. Shes lost 65lbs since last November. She kept telling her dr she didnt feel good. and all her other symptoms. her dr "retired" and she started to see a new one, so we thought that this new dr would do something. nope. so us girls told her to go see a specialist. she did. had a ct scan, and was diagnosed. just mad her other drs didnt see the rapid weight loss, and the other symptoms.
So were praying, HARD for her!

 

[kim21673]

I'm the youngest of 3. I have a sister and a brother. My sis and I have NEVER been close. She is 9 years older than me. I was in 3rd grade when she got married. My brother is 7 years older than me but we are super close. I am sorta spoiled. My brother is spoiled for being the only boy and my sister....well she typically only comes around when she wants to complain or needs something.

My sister was the wild child, partied hard, broke every rule set by by parents and was very dramatic. She hasn't changed on the dramatic part. My brother was a homebody and nerdy. He still is!!! He was and is an awesome big brother. My boys LOVE silly Uncle Robbie!!! I was the popular one...athlete, was with friends all the time, and got straight A's. I was and still am a well-balanced person....I think!!! Oh....and still spoiled!!

 

[Roboliver]

I understand why adoption agencies often warn you about adopting out of birth order...it kind of throws a wrench in each child's "place" so to speak!

WOW THAT IS SO INTERSTING! I never thought adopting out of birth order would cause problems. Intriguing!

As for my family:
I'm the oldest... the rule follower, the good girl, the organizer, the peacemaker
My younger sister (4 1/2 years younger)... was the wild child, more drama, but still a good girl
My younger brother (7 years younger)... the baby, the favorite, super smart but a bit helpless

 

[dotcomkari]

I am the oldest.. I have one sister, named Jodi..
we do not get along.. total oppisties.. she is very well.. popular, snobby.. and has to be all name brand.. kinda girl..

I am more shy, laid back, very warm hearted, and a bit of a hippy.. *L*

I had a twin sister, but sadly she died at birth. I was a min older then her.

 

[PLM]

Oh, I'm sorry for you, I have always heard that the twin who stayed alive always had the feeling there was something missing.

Strange about you and your sister being so opposite though...