When I was in kindergarten I so desperately wanted a big
brother that I invented one. I
told all my classmates that I had an older brother who was in the army (to
explain why he wasn’t around).
This was totally ok, because my best friend Jenny, also the eldest
child, also created an older brother.
And from that point on I have always craved an older brother.
I don’t know what it was. I may have been somewhat jealous of my younger sister and
brother’s relationship. Born only
13 months apart they were each other’s best friend and my brother looked out
for her in a sweet way. I also had
an older cousin, Dan, who I was totally obsessed with. He was cool and five years older than I
and I would go to bed at night wishing he were my brother. Weird.
At any rate I have always hoped in my heart that I would
have a boy first to be that older brother to his younger sister. And I can’t even begin to explain how
happy it makes me to see Monster with Toots.
Monster is already the sweetest big brother to Toots. He adores her and will randomly stop
playing to give her a big hug or say “Hi!” He always says good night to her and looks for her in her
crib first thing in the morning.
Last week, while we were getting ready for our day, Toots
and Monster were hanging out together on our big bed. I needed to run into
their room to get clothes for them so I told Monster to keep an eye on his
sister and not let her fall off the bed.
Truth be told Curious George was on the television so I didn’t really
think that he had heard me or would follow through.
From the other room I heard him say, “No, no, Toots! No, no Toots!” I come rushing into my room to find him
holding his sister by the ankle.
She was nowhere near the edge of the bed and had maybe tried to move
about an inch. But Monster was
determined to do his job and keep her from falling off the bed. Oh my sweet boy.
Add this to the list of things that make a mama proud. I hope this is the kind of story that
weaves itself through our family history in a way that helps to define their
sibling relationship. I hope
Monster always takes care to watch out for his sister and she adores his love
and attention.
Monster is exactly the kind of big brother I always
wanted. I hope Toots knows how
lucky she is.
