Same family, different family

 Just the other day I was pondering over how children who were born in the same family can turn out extremely different. Of course there is no way any two people can turn out the same because we are all different people. But then a thought came to mind. No two people grow up in the same family (save for twins, triplets, quadruplets etc…)

 

Let me use my own family to illustrate this…

 

My oldest brother was born to a young couple in their mid-20s. He was a first and so he was unchartered territory. Exciting, scary and deserving 100% attention and love. he entered this world in new apparel. He was an adventure. For as long as 3 years, he was the only one.

 

My second born in my family was born to a couple in their late 20s. They had already had one. Been there done that got the T Shirt. The second born, had someone to show him the ropes, someone to play with. A totally different scenario from the oldest.The novelty had waned. He had to contend with a couple of hand me downs. They grew up in different families.

 

Then came me. By this time my parents were in their early 30s. They had moved to a different city, their oldest child was getting ready to start primary school, the second was getting ready to start pre-school. So much more to do than with the first two. If I hadn’t been the first (and only) girl, I may have just faded into the walls, I am extremely grateful for that unique selling point. I had two older brothers; more playing, laughing, crying, pinching and punching. I had people to help me with homework. I grew up in a different family.

 

Then came the last. I am sure you get my drift now. He had two older brothers and an older sister. By the time he went to primary school he had 5 people who could possibly ask if he had done his homework. By the time he got to secondary school he had 5 people who he could ask for money. He came when his siblings were mature enough to view an addition to the family as a joy not a threat and so we all dotted over him. He grew up in a different family.

This is one family you have to love

 

You may have the same parents and have grown up in the same house BUT we all grew up in different families.