Dear JJ and Birtha,
My mom and dad by far two of the most impressive people I know. Probably not how you thought this article would start, but it's so necessary to explain. I should also mention that I was not always "stuck in the middle." For a while, I was the "baby" and, man, did that come with some perks. There are four of us total — it sounds like a handful, but it's pretty much a two and two deal. Five months after my sixth birthday, I was given a baby sister. And here is where I should mention that I am very happy to have my little sister and brother as a part of our family.
My parents literally spent entire days, weeks, months, and years carting around the four of us (well two at a time was the way it worked out). What makes them so impressive is that they are on their second round. There is a six year gap between me and my little sister, so my parents did every little thing for me and my older brother until we pretty much reached high school. When we reached the age where we (thought) we no longer needed mom and dad, my parents raised my two younger siblings all over again. So there is a thank you for that, because I know I do not say it nearly enough.
Now as a senior in college, I have had time to reflect on actually being the middle child. To be honest, I have no idea how to feel about pulling the short end of the stick. I certainly did not want to be the oldest who had all the (enforced) rules, and being the baby with no rules probably was not that much fun either (although my little brother seems to be enjoying it). So how should I feel about being the middle child? I feel thankful for all you gave up for me, but I also feel like maybe I am forgotten about.
It's not a feeling that I have all the time, but I definitely felt it before, even when I am sitting in front of you. There were times where I broke down because I felt like I was not included because I left for college. There were times I wished that I never left for college at all, but I know the choice I made to stay close to home was the right choice. Being ten minutes away gives me the ability to come home, but having the freedom to leave and go back to my own "place" at the same time. Being forgotten about sucks—really it does. When you're in a family of six people, it's so easy for it to happen. And often my family doesn't even realize that I am not included.
Overall I have a lot to be thankful for as the middle child. I have an older brother that I can go to for protection, a younger sister I can steal clothes from, and a little brother whose girlfriends I can torture (which changes every time I come home). And I'll finish the same way I started—by applauding my parents for doing everything they do and giving up their lives so that each of us could fulfill our hopes and dreams.
Thank you.
Love,
Your middle child (Remember me? The brunette one.)
