Monday, April 20, 2009

Brothers and Sisters

This is what I see every morning after I push them out the door ...


This is what I hear from the moms whenever I pick up the girlie from kindergarten ...

"Your boy, he is so protective of your daughter."

"He doesn't let her out of his sight, he's always got an arm around her or he's holding onto her hand as she gets off the bus."

"It's amazing. She gives him a big hug at the door and he does not leave until he sees that she's inside safely with the rest of her class."

My rugrats. They know each other's weak spots and they bug each other mercilessly every chance they get.

But there's some unwritten rule there, a bond that only they know, as only siblings can "get".

He lets her hang out with him and his friends, and he only occasionally complains to me, asking for space. She'll invade his playdates and seek attention from his friends. He doesn't mind overly much. He's almost 9, and she is just 4. I think it's safe to assume that most 9 year olds would shudder at the thought of their pipsqueak younger sister getting into their territory.

Even when we get into the house, occasionally, the big brother will stop and help his little sister take off her shoes. I tell him that she's old enough to do that on her own and he responds with, "Oh, it's okay Mom. I'm here anyway, I may as well give her a hand."

What did she do to deserve this? The girlie, I must admit, has hit the sibling jackpot.

*****

My mother comes home tomorrow. She's been away for almost a month visiting with her brothers. A visit to Hong Kong that she had been hoping to take with my Dad.

Mom's been busy. Shopping, taking a few side tours to Indonesia, eating out, more shopping. No cooking, no cleaning, no laundry... and visiting friends and old classmates who she hadn't seen in over 40 years. She even picked up some extra luggage to fill with the goodies she's purchased for her beloved grandkids.

Both her brothers there have been wonderful to her. They've even given her shopping funds, too much for her to use up so she'll have extra to come home with. I think she's at the place she needs to be right now, in the company of her family. She's often talked wistfully about her big brothers, the one just older than her in particular. Such wonderful memories she has of of them watching out for her while growing up. Her brothers are now taking very good care of their little sister. In her words, she is being treated like a queen.

I've always said that little G is so much like her grandmother.

And luckily for her, the little princess, it looks like she'll also share this with Poh-Poh.

The love of a big brother, that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

75 comments:

Kim said...

Did you mean to get your readers all teary eyed? :)

What a wonderful loving post..

Cid said...

Sometimes when you have had enough of the sibling bickering they will do something together that just melts your heart. Your daughter and mother are bother very lucky.

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

I can't wait for that. I have two boys, but I can't wait til Big Brother actually wants to be near little brother. Right now, if the 8 month old scoots to a 6 inch radius of toddler or his toys... its World War 3!

Karen said...

Your kids are awesome. :)

Kat said...

That is just so sweet, it brings tears to my eyes. What an AWESOME big brother. Love. It.

I'm so glad your mom was able to take that trip and be with such a loving, and supportive family. :)

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Lord, this choked me up so much. It is so sweet that he takes such good care of her and I think it is so rare to see that. Boys are not generally so senstive. G is a lucky girl.

So glad your mom is having such a good time and I bet it is exactly what she needed :)

Heidi said...

He is so sweet. My daughter just shoves her little brother out of the way to get on the bus first. Sometimes, though rare, I do catch a sweet kind moment between them.
Sounds like your mom is haveing a nice time.

J said...

What a sweet post. Thanks for sharing it with us. My brother always looked out for me as well. You know I'm out of work, right? Just a few weeks ago he called and said, 'do you need money?' For him, that's big. Not that he is stingy, because he isn't. But he doesn't usually think of such things. Also, I used to date his friends in High School. He's only 2 years older than me, so not such a big deal. :)

Unknown said...

Awwww! That is so touching. You are so lucky, Karen! I hope Little One gets a younger sibling or two down the road, but she's only 5 months old, so I guess we'll hold off for now! :)

BTW, I have something for you on my blog.

Momisodes said...

Shedding many, many tears over here. You had me at the first photo of both your kiddos. They are just so sweet. I reminds me of my own brother, who also shares a similar age gap as your kids.

So glad to hear your mother is being surrounded by loved ones and having this time for herself to be with family and friends.

OHmommy said...

Yes.... so true. Big brothers. You can't live with them or without them. So sweet.

Candidmom said...

You are very lucky to have a very understanding and responsible little dude. :)

louann said...

That is so,so,so,so sweet. Really.

Ed said...

That is heartwarming. And the picture is priceless.

Tara R. said...

That is so sweet that your son is that protective of his sister. This is how siblings should be.

Beck said...

My boy is a protective big brother, too. It IS the sweetest thing in the world.

Kate The Great said...

what sweet kids... doesn't it just warm your heart how good they are when they think you aren't looking!

Melissa said...

That was the sweetest.thing.ever. I needed that little pick me up today. Thanks!

LadyHAHA said...

awwww. I loved that picture and the story that accompanies it. Your little boy is going to grow up to be such a gentleman and I feel sorry for the would be future boyfriends your little girl is going to have. They're going to have to get through overprotective big brother first!

Unknown said...

brothers and sisters is my favorite tv show. i always Watch brothers and sisters Online . i don't have missed any episode of this tv show. your blog is very nice.

Unknown said...

I love that post! I have a boy myself, and trying for a #2 too... Prayerfully my next kid will experience the kinda bigger brother your boy has grown into. Too sweet!

Oh, and Hong Kong? Indonesia? that's a stone's throw (albeit a long 5-hour throw) from where I am - Sunny Singapore! :)

Anonymous said...

That is the cutest thing ever! What a lucky girl she is. :)

Carrie said...

Wow I'm jealous a little - all my brother used to do was sit on me. I hope my kids get this sibling thing as well as yours do.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

OMG...tears! SO precious!

floreta said...

what a very sweet and compassionate young one you have! and your family seems very worldy too :)

Brandi said...

I truly hope that I am as lucky as you are when the day comes for me to start a family. What an amazing son and daughter you have!

Anonymous said...

What's your secret? I hope that when the day comes that my son has a sibling (which I hope it does) that he will have that kind of relationship with him or her.

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

This brought tears to my eyes. Such a blessing.

Quasi Serendipita said...

That is such a lovely picture! Beautiful post :)

Rachel Cotterill said...

As an only child, sibling things will always be a bit of a mystery to me - but it's so lovely to read your story. Sounds like you have fantastic kids.

Karen & Gerard Zemek said...

I like Hallmark movies so am sure I'll like your blog. Nice that your children get along so well! It makes things much easier.

Elizabeth D. said...

That's so sweet! I always wanted a protective older brother! Sounds like you have raised your kids quite well. :)

Jessica Jones said...

so sweet! I have 2 boys with a girl in the middle...they have their moments but the younger twon or sound similar to yours!

Happy SITS Day

Anonymous said...

That is so precious!

Christina said...

That is sooo sweet, but I have to admit... my brother is 11 years younger than me, and HE is protective of ME. When his 10-year-old self heard I'd had my heart broken, he vowed to find the 6'4" 25-year-old and beat him up. It was sweet and funny at the same time.

Brothers are the best. :-)

Sherri said...

Oh, this just made me smile:) You children sound so sweet. I have a 14 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. My daughter thinks he is the best thing ever.

leigh hewett said...

Heartbreakingly beautiful post!

XO
Leigh

said...

That was a lovely read.

Congrats on your SITS day :o)

Creative Junkie said...

That photo is just wonderful - there's something about photos taken from behind the subject that just speak to me.

Love your post as well!

Anonymous said...

Sibling love is under-reported. We always hear about the rivalry...but this love is much better.
My daughter is close with my oldest son...they are both grown now and very protective of one another. It makes a mother's heart glad to know and see that they'll be there for each other, even after we're gone.

Thanks for the beautiful post!

Anonymous said...

pk @ Room Remix

What a sweet post! Your daughter is a very lucky little girl (sounds like your mom is too.)

A Fist Full of Dandelions said...

What an adorable picture of the two of them! How sweet that he is soo protective!

KimMalk said...

This is so sweet. All too often, we end up with siblings who we are not close with.
@cheapchichome.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you've got a couple of wonderful kids!

This made we wish I had a big brother.

Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity said...

My daughter may drive her brother crazy . . . but you are right, he loves her and he loves her fiercely. Sometimes I think that I missed out by not having a brother. :) Good thing that my sister rocks!!

Anonymous said...

I have three brothers, but they are all much younger than I am. This really makes me wish that I had had a sibling to grow up with. :) Such a beautiful blog.

Cheryl said...

How Sweet!

Annie said...

That is awesome! Congrats on your SITS day!! Enjoy all of the attention :)

jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas said...

I love that! Mine are 3 & 4 and they both watch out for each other. It'll be neat to see how that grows over the years! Lovely!

Happy SITS Day!

Jenn Erickson said...

Happy SITS day! It sounds like you're raising some very fine children. It's wonderful to see the way that loving family relationships are emulated by each generation! My daughters are 8 and 4, and maybe it's a "sister thing", but those tender moments are few and far between these days. I cherish each tiny glimpse I get past the sibling rivalry.

Jessica Nunemaker said...

That makes me feel good to hear that! It gives me hope for my kids (I am still in the stage where I can't believe I have kids plural).

Happy SITs. ;)

AmericanTribal said...

This made me cry... like, seriously cry. Which sucks, because I'm at work lol.
My brother and I are very close and he always looked out for me (he's 4 years older). It's so important for little girls to have big brothers, in my opinion.

Mimi said...

What a wonderful post.

Angelia (Texas) said...

Big brothers are very special. I have two. She is one lucky little lady.

Robin said...

great post....

Heather said...

It sounds like he loves his sister very much and she's VERY lucky to have him. I hope she realizes this as they grow up.

I am the oldest and always wanted an older brother to watch over me and tease me.

Thanks for sharing a lovely post.

Lisa said...

What a wonderful big brother! It sounds like your daughter is a lucky girl. You must have the spacing just right. I wish mine were like this.

Kerri said...

How precious! I am the youngest of five, and understand the protectiveness of older siblings. We may fight like crazy, but we are FAMILY!
Stopping by from SITS!
Kerri
www.sickofmg.blogspot.com

Kristin said...

Super sweet! I really hope that my kiddos have that sort of loving and protective bond someday. Big brother is 2 and 1/2 and baby sister is just 11 months! A mommy can dream!! :)

Kimmy said...

That is so sweet!! Both stories brought a warmth to my heart. Thanks for sharing that.

I have an older brother. He's almost 3 yrs older than me. We always fought growing up but then there were those times that we were there for each other. NOW...it's so nice to share a friendship with my brother now that we are older. :O)

alex Fitzpatrick aka Ma What's 4 Dinner said...

Oh so sweet. I have 3 boys but they are super protective of one another against the outside world. Inside they like to beat each other about the head. :)

Happy Sits

Alex

Kristin @ Meanbean said...

what a SWEET story!! I have just one little one, and she's so protective of others, yet a princess herself...LOL it's a fascinating combination.

How wonderful to hear how your mom's being spoiled right now, sounds like just what she needed. <3

foxy said...

So sweet! I love the photo...

Lorri S said...

Awww, if only all big brothers were like that!

Anonymous said...

How sweet - I hope their relationship is always so loving x

Patricia said...

how sweet. your little princess is very lucky to have such a great big brother!!!

Happy SITS day!

Marilyn (A Lot of Loves) said...

The bond your children have with each other is exactly what I hope to see between my son and daughter as they grow up. I will consider myself a lucky mom indeed to have kids that love each other like your do.

Kelly said...

Beautiful!! Your children are precious.

rjs mama said...

very heartwarming post

Happy SITS day!

RJ's day to day activities
Journal of RJ's mom

Unknown said...

Happy SITS feature day!

What a great post! My brother & I had a love-hate relationship, until we where both adults. With us, though, it was the other way around, I was the older (almost 3 years) sister & he was the younger, mischievous little brother.

Hope you had a great day!

Michelle said...

I LVOE IT! and what a blessing as a mom to watch it!!!!!

I'm always commenting on the love between my two youngest. My middle two do NOT have a good relationship. It's so sweet to see.

I LOVE waking up to them cuddling on the couch with their dad.

Marie said...

Wow what a sweetheart of a son you have. You know though everyone of my friends who has a firstborn son and younger siblings have the same story......

Glad to hear that your Mom is doing well, after reading about you losing your Father to cancer.

Meg said...

That is why I've always wanted a big brother.

Of course, it's great playing that part for my younger sibs, too.

Unknown said...

Brothers & Sisters TV Show is one of the best show. I like the concept of the show and its one of my favorite show.

Anonymous said...

Brothers & Sisters TV Show is a drama from executive producers Ken Olin and Jon Robin Baitz. This show is running its fifth season successfully. I really like to watch Brothers & Sisters Season 5.

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