Sibling Love

Anyone who has a brother or sister knows the ups and downs of the sibling relationship. On previous posts I have mentioned how my brothers would watch All Star Wrestling and then practice their moves on me. I also recounted the game of Sorry in which I was duped by my brother and sister. All the great pranks were practiced on me...shaving cream on the phone receiver, dried dates in the bed to make me think I had a terrible accident, and M&M's fed to me on a long car ride only after they had been shoved up my brother's nose.

But what I failed to mention was the way they have always looked out for me. The way my sister would let me crawl into bed with her at night when I was scared. When I got my first flat tire on my car, my brother came immediately and changed it for me. At nineteen I was laying in the hospital having my broken arm set and my other brother stood at my head, stroking my hair, trying to keep me calm. It's comforting to know that there are three people in my life that I can count on for anything.

I see the same thing with my kids. One minute they're tattling on each other, fighting with each other, and driving each other mad. Then there are moments when they reveal their true feelings. The other morning my son was explaining to me that he knows his sister's ticklish spot is... right underneath her chin. Or when my daughter is the recipient of a treat, she always makes sure to get an extra for her brother.

Today my son told me he's making a picture in art class that he's going to surprise his sister with. It's of a penguin in a top hat with a cane. I know she'll love it. There's something really comforting about sibling love.