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.
I have this universal feeling:
ReplyDeleteIt was as close as one foot—let’s try again—but missed by an inch.
Never giving up: one and a half feet this time.
Ah, still believing in oneself— a good try; almost hit the target, just half an inch off.
Who knew? A two-foot frustration the next time.
Ah…
Well Daddy finally had to stop trying.
DeleteI was also 15 when my youngest sibling was born. But I'm not the oldest. I'm #3 of 7.
ReplyDeleteThe first five of us were born within 6 years. Can you even imagine how our mothers managed?
DeleteO dear I loved this story and found it not just very very interesting but amusing as well 🤗
ReplyDeleteWhat happened in your family must be rare that children came around someone’s birthday 🤗👍 sounds miracle to me 🥹🥰
Your father definitely loved to have lots of children 🥰
Though I felt for your mom .but case wasn’t different in our village too .most of the families had six to thirteen children at least.only we were three because my parents had spent some years of married life in city ,so they knew that upbringing of children is huge responsibility.
Thanks for amazing tale dear Emma 🥰♥️🙏
Now is the interesting part. My oldest son was born his great-aunt's birthday, My second son was born on his cousin's birthday the day after 2 other cousins. My youngest granddaughter was born on my second grandson's birthday. My best friend's first granddaughter was born on my first granddaughter's first birthday. Her second granddaughter was born on my second grandson's birthday. My first great-granddaughter was born on my second granddaughter's birthday. I could go on but that is enough.
ReplyDelete