#276: Are you an only child? Write about your siblings or lack thereof.
When I was growing up, I was the only Catholic kid I knew of who didn't have any brothers or sisters. It's not as if people had entire litters or anything, but two or three kids at least. I was also the only one of my friends who lived with a single father. When I was little, I missed having a mother more than anything, it's only as an adult I've missed having siblings, particularly after my father died. Suddenly, I was the only survivor of our two-person family and the sole carrier of memories that are now mine alone. I wished someone else remembered Dad like I do, that I could talk about him or growing up with him with someone else who was there too.
At the same time, I think a brother or sister would have changed the dynamic we had. The way things were, we had no one but each other to look out for us, something we were both acutely aware of. During the tough times, that responsibility kept us going. When I was struggling, he had to put his own stuff aside, and I did the same for him. Some would probably say that I didn't get the chance to really be a child, but it wasn't like that. I just learned early on never to shy away from responsibility, to deal with things, and to be the maker of my own fortune. My father was a great father, but he was only one man and there was no one else around to pick up the slack.
I don't really think my dad wished he had any more children, but I think he wished there had been another parent around sometimes. I never gave him much trouble, but I know he felt unsure of himself, wondering if he was doing enough. When I was blinded, the stakes were raised even higher. We worked as a family because he knew I could look after myself while he was away. After the accident, he didn't know what I could do or ever be expected to do. I didn't either. But he was good at hiding his doubts from me, and I only knew because I know about these things. Even back then.
But we did it. And it's sad to think that I am the only one to remember the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumph of the Murdocks. Just as I will be alone to carry the grief of the moment it was all taken away.
At the same time, I think a brother or sister would have changed the dynamic we had. The way things were, we had no one but each other to look out for us, something we were both acutely aware of. During the tough times, that responsibility kept us going. When I was struggling, he had to put his own stuff aside, and I did the same for him. Some would probably say that I didn't get the chance to really be a child, but it wasn't like that. I just learned early on never to shy away from responsibility, to deal with things, and to be the maker of my own fortune. My father was a great father, but he was only one man and there was no one else around to pick up the slack.
I don't really think my dad wished he had any more children, but I think he wished there had been another parent around sometimes. I never gave him much trouble, but I know he felt unsure of himself, wondering if he was doing enough. When I was blinded, the stakes were raised even higher. We worked as a family because he knew I could look after myself while he was away. After the accident, he didn't know what I could do or ever be expected to do. I didn't either. But he was good at hiding his doubts from me, and I only knew because I know about these things. Even back then.
But we did it. And it's sad to think that I am the only one to remember the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumph of the Murdocks. Just as I will be alone to carry the grief of the moment it was all taken away.