Siblings take em don't leave em.

 A sibling is one of two or more individuals having one or both parents in common.  A female sibling is a sister and a male sibling is a brother.  Any new information yet?  In most societies throughout the world, siblings often grow up together, thereby facilitating the development of strong emotional bonds.  The emotional bond between siblings is often complicated and is influenced by factors such as parental treatment, birth order, personality, and personal experiences outside of the family.

This may catch you by surprise. I hope it does anyway because it did me.

Full siblings having the same parents are only 50% related.  (Full siblings share 50% of their genes out of those that vary among humans)  Identical twins by definition are 100% related.

Ok. I have a set of identical twin sisters and I clearly get they are 100% related not because this is what studies show but I have seen some amazing twin connections over the years.  Even when they moved to different states.  Several times over the years they both sent our mother the identical card for her birthday or mothers day. They showed up or my wedding having bought the same dress. 

I love all my siblings 100% of the time but I bet there were times when I claimed to only be 20% related to them but that was when I thought we were 100% related , now that I know we are only 50% it was more like 1 or 2%.

From the time we are born, our brothers and sisters share a common bond with us.  Be it the bond of getting into mischief, co conspirators, role models or playmates.

They protect us, they hurt us, they tease us they tattle on us.

Sisters teach brothers about the fickleness mystery of girls, and brothers teach sisters about the complications pule of boys.  That is a puzzle that takes some time to put together.  I have 3 siblings that were close to parental age when I was born, so those sibs (well at least my sister) took on a mothering role.

Our spouses and children arrive later in life.  Our parents leave us too early, our brothers and sisters are with us for our journey.

I am the youngest of 9 children.
I love that position.

If you are an only child.  I. Am. Sorry.

There are nine of us that all share the same parents.  We all grew up in the same house, some of us a decade or more later.  We all experienced the same traditions.  We all have similar stories regarding our childhood, yet we all are uniquely different.

Currently, we all live in different parts of the country.  My family currently represents the States of, New York, (Our birthplace and rearing grounds), Florida, North Carolina, Montana and Ohio.

This past summer we were blessed to hold a sibling reunion.  We had not all been together for more than 17 years.

Though we may always feel connected to our siblings on some level even when we don't live near them, reuniting with them, for me sewed that stitch together.

I walked away with a new appreciation for time.  Years and distance have separated us but our heats remained close.

When our parents died one of the things that grieved me most was I no longer had a historian for my pre-birth or pre- memory days of my life.
How would I learn all I still wanted to know?

One of the most important parts of our reunion for me was the time we each had to share memories or talk about our youth.  I learned so much that I never knew and I still smile when I visualize a time before me that I can now feel apart of.   learned some things about my childhood I had no memory recall of and I learned what life was like before me.

I also left with this.  There is nothing that could stand in my way of doing anything for my siblings if they needed me.  This is a bond you share with no other and I am blessed to have it x's 8.  8 completely different bonds with people who are a part of me.  They know from where I come. 

No matter what the studies say- I am 100%  related to my sibs!

I wrote this poem for my sibs and gave it to them with a gold keychain of a tree with our family name on it.


My Favorite Tree

There is this favorite tree of mine
I go there everyday.
I only have to close my eyes
to hear what it may say.

The largest branch is might high
It holds the patriarch
and that little branch extending out
well that is the Matriarch.

When the wind blows just right
their words I clearly hear.
the words that once would set us off
Have now become so dear.

The branches soon began to grow,
one and then another.
The first one that branched out from them
Is known as our first brother.

The rains came down, the tree still grew
and then there was another.
The next branch from my favorite tree
is known as our next brother.

These little twigs they grew and played
the tree began to curl.
The limb that came to straighten them
is known as our first girl.

The farmer fertilized that tree,
it grew some double limbs.
For the branches that grew on it next
are known as our dear twins.

The branches that first sprouted
said "Sir, Mister, Mister
can you please do some trimming
as we just grew another sister.

So that tree did it's very best
The braches grew by one another.
And soon to their amazement
came the Golden brother.

This newest branch he hung alone
his leaves began to curl
so the largest branches on this tree
brought forth another girl.

I guess with all these branches
this tree still just wasn't shady
until it brought the last big branch
known as the family's baby.

While this tree has lost some branches
it is my favorite just the same
for it tells me who I am
and from whom I came.