Sirisa+G’s+OpEd+Article

 “I absolutely hate my brother and sister.” “I wish I didn’t have any siblings.” “You’re SO lucky you’re an only child.”

People complaining about their siblings isn’t exactly something I’d be flipping tables over for. It’s like a pinch; it doesn’t really hurt, but does sort of irk me a bit.

My mom has a brother and a sister. My dad has five brothers and a sister. My mom’s mom had six brothers and one sister. My dad’s dad had two brothers and two sisters. All of my cousins are either brothers or a brother-sister pair... and then there’s me. I’ve got zero brothers and zero sisters. From my great grandparents down to my living relatives, I am currently the only single child within the family. My grandparent’s even joked around telling my parents they should’ve had another kid. Anyways, my parents have enjoyed telling me sweet old tales from their childhood and they are more than often memories shared with their siblings. I’ve heard stories of them walking to school together, building kites together, swimming in the rivers together, catching bugs together, lighting sparklers together, and it just sounds so nice. Of course I get plenty of love from my parents, but as much as I love them back, there’s something special about the relationship between siblings. The bonds always looked closer. I imagine they’d be best friends, being there for each other during hard times, or occasionally/constantly fighting, doing homework next to each other, playing board games against one another, going shopping together, or riding amusement park rides when parents complain they’re too old for them. Having a brother or sister at your side to love, rely on, be relied on, and grow up with was a dream I’ve wished for since I was younger. Sure some people don’t need siblings but back then, I would’ve loved to have someone at home play a game of LIFE with me instead of having to wait for school to start. I don’t mind it now, but I still can’t help but wonder what it would’ve been like.

Yes maybe it’s a selfish case of the “want what I don’t have”, yes maybe there’s more money to spend than if there were another child, yes maybe in certain circumstances there is a justified reason to hate them, and (fourth time, sorry) yes maybe I’ve watched one too many family movies and all that I’m fantasizing about is absolute fiction, **but** no matter how many times you complain to me about your brother being annoying or the number of fights you and your sister get into and how much you wish the other would just go to hell, I will always jealous of you. So please don’t say how “lucky” it is to be an only child if it’s just another small argument between siblings. Just hug, make up, and be happy how lucky YOU are to have a brother and sister at your side.