happy birthday, Eric!!!
Growing up with three brothers was not an easy feat being the only female sibling, but I managed to find my place and realize that they also had their place. Eric was the oldest, and the one who was "boss" of our tribe. He was the test baby of my parents.
Being the oldest carries certain advantages.... and many disadvantages, and Eric was the one who usually experienced them first. He is the one who was KING of the backyard, and dutifully told us that when it was our first venture outdoors. Since he was oldest and bigger than me, I had no real problem with his position, but did take offense when my brother Karl announced that he was PRINCE of the backyard... but that's another story.
Eric was the brother I called up whenever my mouth got me into trouble (and it did many times), hoping that he would beat up the person about to pummel me. I can remember a time when he was asked by my Mother to talk to a 5th grade teacher about a kid who kept calling me a "nazi". I was crushed by the implication, just because my last name happened to be German. Eric stood up like the dutiful brother he was, had an adult talk with the teacher, and stopped by to pick me up at my class to take me home every day after school that year. He also used to do this when I was in kindergarten. This was a nice advantage for me, but a major disadvantage for him. What boy likes to escort his baby sister around? But he held his ground.
He is also the most artistically talented one of our bunch. He could copy any art freehand, and was easily volunteered to make posters for High School when he was a senior. I always felt that he got a raw deal when he became a senior, as that was the year we moved to New Hampshire from Connecticut. It was culture shock to go from a big new High School to this farm pasture town with a ten room High School housing a total of 120 students. He took it well enough, and found that he could make friends fast when your total class was 25 or so of your peers.
A couple of years after we moved to Hew Hampshire, it was my turn to learn how to drive. My Father tried to teach me, but lost all patience when I argued too much with him. Eric was the one who took over the task, interspersed with my brother Karl, and they rallied me through the difficult job of teaching me the rules of the road. I never forgot one rule that Eric specifically taught me.... that each car had three brakes. The first one was to "take your foot off the gas"; I still follow that one today. Dispite my thickheadedness, and constantly questioning of things, he held fast, and I passed the written test as well as the road test on my first try.
So if you are reading this, Eric... know that we are sending you birthday wishes, and that your package is going in the mail Monday. I specifically am sending it late because I found the coolest card... but it was a belated card, so I couldn't send it early. Regardless, you will enjoy your presents, because I truly had you in mind when I picked them out!
Happy Birthday, big brother!
posted by Ellen at 12:00 AM
6 Comments:
How lucky you are to have a big brother!! Tell him happy b-day from another big brother that also enjoyed some of the advantages it afforded...and the disadvantages.
I too was the "test baby," although my parents (who, btw, celebrated a 44 year aniversary this month) would probably not agree. All of the new rules, theories and routines began with me and often ended with me.
I am sure that each position in the sibling food chain has its pros and cons. I did get the honor and pleasure of helping to usher my little brother and sis through some of the rites of passage. On the downside - I did not have an older sibling to look up to or help me. All my cousins lived far, far away (same galaxy!).
Of course I wouldn't change a thing (as those that have read my blog can attest). I can, however, relate.
Mike
Mike- Yup, I was indeed lucky to have two older brothers, which was a pretty good buffer for me. All things went through them first before they landed in my lap.
Being a "daddys only girl" had certain advantages, even though my parents used to tell us that they loved us equally, etc. I'm just thankful I wasn't the test baby... way too much pressure for that position.
Mnay congrats to your parents... 44 years of marriage is admirable and golden in their own right!
Wow! Eric sounds like a great guy!!! How lucky you are to have each other. I always wanted a big brother (I was the oldest 'test baby'). Instead I got two little brothers - both brats at times, but still much beloved.
Saurkraut- Yeah, he is one of the good guys. I was very fortunate that he was there when I was younger, as it did make my life a lot easier when I did get into trouble. I'd pull out the "big brother" card, and he did manage to smooth much of it over.
I sometimes think that being the oldest is a heavy position to be put in, as parents have a tendency to pound so much responsibility into them. There are instances where it caused some problems for us as a family, but nothing we haven't been able to work out, or let be worked out over time..... just like all families.
I still love him to death, as I do all my family members.
Happy Belated Eric, I'm late getting here.
A hired bully-guard... I did that for my lil sis too! Kids just gotta pick on other kids I guess.
Snaggle- Funny thing about having the older sibling bodyguard in our family meant that only they were allowed to "beat me up"... but nobody else was. We were a tight force in public.
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