Missed It By That Much

 My father deeply loved all his children. There were seven of us.

I was due to be born 2 days before my mother's birthday. When I still had not been born then Daddy hoped I would wait another week and a half to be born Of course I did not.

The following year my first brother was born two months (and two days) after Daddy's birthday. My second brother was born eight days before my first brother's first birthday. Irish twins. I was barely two years old. My poor mother.

Daddy really really wanted a child born on his birthday. 

Shortly after my fourth birthday my sister was born. One day after Daddy's birthday.

When I was six another brother arrived. His birthday was four days after Daddy's. When he was almost five years old he was so worried about who would take care of his mommy when he started school in the fall. Sooo......

Right before my eleventh birthday my second sister was born. It was the day after the Fourth of July, For years she thought all the fireworks were just for her.

I was almost fifteen when my final brother was born. It was two weeks before Mom's birthday. I was old enough to visit the hospital to see my new brother.

We have a tradition in my family. When a new baby comes home we line up according to age to greet our new brother or sister. The baby is gently handed to the youngest child to hold for the first time. That child carefully hands the baby to the next child. 

When the baby gets to the oldest child that child carries the baby to be laid in its bed for the first time. Because I am the oldest I was the first to carry each of my siblings.