My baby brother is coming for a visit. Sib #5 is landing here at 2:45 this afternoon. My SIL is pregnant with twins and they won't be travelling this Thanksgiving so #5 decided to come out for a visit.
I was nine years and four days old when #5 was born. My mother had her hands full, so I picked up some of the slack. She claims that she'd come home from driving one carpool or another and I'd have dinner on the table and be feeding the baby while doing my homework. I have no real memory of this, but as it sheds me in a saintly light I'll take her at her word.
The age difference took its toll over time. He was nine years old when I left for college. He was eleven when the Saint started hanging around. He was thirteen when we got married. When I had Precious Oldest he was still in High School. I missed his entire adolescence, and we had no real relationship for many years.
#5 went to Fordham University and when he graduated from college he stayed in New York. I travelled to NY with the Saint from time to time on business and we'd always fit in a visit. Somewhere along the way we developed a whole new relationship as adults. He called me when he got engaged the first time and I told him I thought it was a bad idea, that he was too young. He shot back with the fact that I had been twenty two when I got married. To which I responded that was HOW I knew it was too young! The marriage didn't last, and years later he told me that I had been the only one who had cautioned him, who had said "think twice". And that he thought that was kind of wonderful.
Some wary years later he began a relationship with his now wife. I like her very much, and it was clear from the start that she appreciated him, cherished him. It made me happy to see him so happy. When he called to tell me they were engaged I just said tell me when and where.
So anywhoo, since I show love by cooking I have a great dinner planned for tonight: grilled strip steaks, roasted potatoes with rosemary, green salad with Gorgonzola cheese and craisins and an awesome vinaigrette (made it Wednesday so the flavors would really have a chance to come together), some nice bread and whatever dessert I shall purchase later today because I DON'T BAKE. Oh yes, and some nice bottles of Cabernet Sauvingon!! If you're in the neighborhood stop by; its going to be a hell of a party!
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3 comments:
Oooh, I wish I were in the neighborhood, that's for sure.
My Anna was 9 years old when her sister Rachel was born, and she was quite motherly. Now of course she hates all the siblings, but your story about developing a grown-up relationship with your little brother gives me real hope. Thank you!
I have a 10 1/2 year age difference between my oldest and my youngest. Oldest was talking about college the other night (she's a hs sophomore right now), and wants to stay here and go to ASU, partly because she doesn't want to go away while youngest is only 8 years old. That made me tear up, a little. I always hope that my girls are going to be close when they grow up. The jury is still out on middle and youngest..they fight all the time.
SC - There's always hope. Hell we vacation together now. On PURPOSE!
Shelley - Kids fight. But I'm here to tell ya - they also grow up.
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