Siblings

      I remember when I first married my husband my grandma telling me I couldn’t just have one baby.  I needed to have at least two.  She was convinced that a child would be better off with a brother or sister.  After my Dad died, I yearned for a son that I could name after him.  Before a year passed I was pregnant and I got my little boy who I named after my Dad.

   

  I will never forget when I found out I was pregnant.  My daughter told me she had prayed for a brother and couldn’t wait to go pick him up.  She actually asked me if we could go get the baby the next day.  Unfortunately, it takes a little longer than a day for a pregnancy. 

     I have to admit I had another reason for wanting a brother for my daughter.  I had a sister who I never got along with.  Our relationship had been chaotic and a nightmare from hell from the start.  I never see her and we don’t speak.  It is like not having a sister at all.  In the long run, it is better this way.  The fighting, hatred, and drama just isn’t worth getting together for.  Life is too short.  It doesn’t mean that I don’t think about her sometimes.  I wish her well.  I do.  It is just that it is pointless to have any kind of relationship with her.  It is too much water under the bridge as they say.

      Because of the hellacious relationship my sister and I have shared,   I feel even more blessed and relieved that my kids get along and probably always will.  My family is important to me, although I know a lost cause when I see it.  I remember telling my dad before he died that once he was gone there would be no reason why I would have to put up with her crap anymore.  He was saddened by my statement but he understood better than anyone could.  Like a prophecy my words that day became reality.  One truth remains…you don’t get to choose who you are related to.  You can only do the best you can and live your life.