Growing up with a big family teaches you more about life and people than you could ever imagine. I am the fourth child in a family of seven. I have my mom, my dad, and four sisters. I am the only boy.
More often than not, when I tell people I have four sisters and am the only boy, I receive sympathy. I laugh every time I hear people apologize and talk about how they know someone with a similar family situation. All things considered, being the only boy really isn’t such a bad gig. I have never had a problem talking to the opposite sex and never had to worry about hand-me-downs. As for my baby sister who was born eight years after the oldest, she was wearing '90s clothing well into the 2000’s (Sorry Soph).
All joking aside, I am very fortunate to have been a part of what I consider an amazing family and team. When you’re young you experience so much life with many different types of people. Even though we are all from the same mom and dad, each member of my family is very unique in their own way. Your younger years are a pivotal time when you are forming the foundation for your overall life. I can accredit most of my values and beliefs to having a big family.
I consider myself a caring individual. I have always been able to sympathize with people. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my family; I got to be with everyone through many of life’s ups and downs. When one of my siblings had a bad day, I was there to help them get through it, and the same went for me when I had mine.
Today, I try to talk to everyone I meet; my friends make fun of me for engaging in conversation with complete strangers. I want to know everyone’s story, where they came from, what they do, and where they want to go. I can attribute this quality to my family. I lived in a house with six different individuals with their own personalities going through life just like me. I realize that in life, everyone has his or her own battle going on, whether it be small or large. The power of talking to someone whether it is just a simple hello, or taking the next step and asking him or her genuinely about their day, can make a world of difference.
Now that the baby boomer generation is over, the modern families today are not having as big of families. This is a direct result of inflation and our overall economic state. Raising a big family is much more challenging today as opposed to 20 years ago. When I have a family of my own, it most likely will not be as big as mine now, but at the end of the day simply having a family is the most important thing. No matter how big or small, being around people that love and care about you is priceless.
I will forever be grateful for my big family. Now that we are older and beginning our journey out into the real world, I am fortunate to know is that wherever I go, and whatever I run into in life, I have six amazing people right beside me.
