As an only child I've always been quite independent in what I do. I've developed a resistance to the need or want to interact with others - I read, talk to dolls, dress them, make them talk to each other, then think up lives for them in my head. I quite enjoy it. Or perhaps I think I enjoy it as I had little choice. In any case, I've never wished for a sibling.
Well, maybe I had, once, for an older brother or sister who would take me to cool places with their older (and therefore cooler - I was at that age) friends, but I didn't dwell on it. As for a younger sibling, I'd always thought, why? The parents would always spoil them, I'd be the guinea pig for all their unproven theories of parenting, and they'd always skimp on me to save for the younger one. But recently I witnessed something that made me realise a younger sibling isn't just someone who takes more than their fair share of the cake and eats it, s/he's actually a subject of love, as in someone you can direct your love towards.
N is a good friend of mine. We've known each other since high school, and while I'd always known she has a younger brother, and even met him a few times, I'd never really thought about their relationship. It doesn't help that N rarely talks about her family, but recently we were having dinner with a few other school friends and she got to talking to one of them about the pitfalls and merits of a particular mobile phone model. Initially I thought this was because she was looking to buy one for herself, but then she mentioned that she wanted to buy it for her brother. Now, it's not surprising that a sister wants to buy something for her brother, but considering he is now also a fully grown young man with earning powers that exceed possibly all of those sitting at the table that night, I thought it rather tender.
There were many similar occasions - none revolutionary or outstanding that made me realise that among N's daily or habitual events, many were related to her brother. Every time I notice this, it makes me extremely envious of the fact that she has someone to care for in her life. Someone that she feels responsibility for, but no burden. It's different from the love and care directed towards parents, as they are forever fussed about you more than the other way around. So for the first time, I felt envious of someone who has a younger sibling. Perhaps it's an age thing...
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