"Do you like being in a big family?" I am frequently asked. It confuses me. As opposed to what? Because I would not want to imagine it any other way. Besides my own first name, I'm most frequently referred to as "her big sister" and "his little sister", and nothing makes me happier, more proud, or more grateful. So yes, I do like being in a big family, and here's why.
1. There is always someone.
Looking for someone to hang out with? Well pick one. There’s five, five friends before you even have to pick up the phone and see what your non-sibling friends are doing. We got a really big team.
2. There’s always someone else to blame.
Who left the back gate open, and let the dogs run free in the street? Not me. Who forgot to take out the trash? Again, wasn’t me? Who forgot to write down who left a message on the answering machine after listening to it? You guessed correctly, not me.
3. You never cease to amaze strangers.
“One of six? Six kids?” followed by something like “how does your mom do it?” We have that effect on people.
4. You have the best of both worlds.
Three older brothers and two younger sisters. I’m right in the middle. Three older brothers to beat in knock out and teach me sports; two little sisters to take shopping and get our nails done. Three older brothers who don’t fear pegging me to get me out in running bases and two little sisters I don’t fear inflicting minor harm upon when my clothes are worn. Best. Of. Both. Worlds.
5. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.
While we are not all together anymore and we’ve spread our wings across two countries and five cities, it only makes the Thanksgiving dinners, summer vacations and simple summer nights when we all find ourselves back in little Fair Haven, New Jersey sitting on the couch watching Batman Returns for the 3rd time on repeat, all the more special and something I wouldn’t trade for anything.
