Sibling Rivalry

Not having any siblings and having a very small family without much contact with distant or extended family members, I’ve always envied those with brothers or sisters…..dozens of cousins and generous helpings of aunts and uncles. I’ve also been appalled at how my children treat each other because I just don’t get it. They’re swimming in the same gene pool so it would make sense if they threw life preservers at each other when they are in over their heads. Instead they tend to push each other over the edge whenever they have the chance. If there’s a shark in the pool waiting, all the better.

A couple of years ago, actually seven or eight now that I’m thinking about it,  I adopted or was adopted by a family in town. I’m not really sure how it happened but I became, at least in my mind, part of that family. (Even if I didn’t make it on their family calendar this year. Ahem.) The daughters in this family became my babysitters, my friends, my children, my cousins, my siblings…..all rolled into one. The mother became my sister, my parent, and best of all, a friend more loving, supportive, honest, and true then I ever imagined having a friend be. She feeds me too and feels bad when I’m expiring from yet another fatal and rare condition that I’ve recently seen at work, in the hospital. I love them all. Really, truly love them and feel as lucky to have them in my life as to be in theirs.

This year, one of  the daughters made into the “elite 12″,  on the front of the SBAA calendar. I was, of course, very happy for her and not a bit jealous or tinged by a hint of rivalry. Because, remember, I don’t get sibling rivalry.

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