There is this family i know. Three children, two boys and a girl. Grown, in their twenties. Their parents split up when they were young. The family is well known in the community.
The kids, the siblings they still hang around together. They are friends and go out of their way to spend time together. They help each other through good times and hard times, they move each other in and out of houses. They go on vacations together. They watch out for each other.
I look at them longingly, enviously and hopefully. I don't have that with my siblings, but i hope so much for it for my children.
Spring break is hard because it's hours upon hours together. The kids play. The kids fight.
Last night parker was frightened to go to bed without me there, but i wasn't ready for bed. Toby hopped in with him and rubbed his back till he fell asleep and then fell in to sleep and dreams himself. When i went to bed they were snuggled up together. Looking like two babies. Two brothers. So similar, but so different. Loving each other.
I kept them side-by-side and i squished in beside them. I barely slept. Aside from lack of space and little bony limbs poking me through the night i kept waking to watch them. Knowing that these moments are rare. The harmony, the innocence of sleep, the calmness of their sleeping faces. Soft and round.
It was beautiful to me.
Posted by Jess at 10:10 AM Permalink
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I think the key is to keep them close when they are young. Remind them that they are siblings and that they will always be there for each other. Let them comfort one another and let it be known how appreciative you are when it happens.
Our kids, ages 1 and 3 love to lay together and whenever one is sad or hurt, the other is always there to comfort. They share a room, and talk to each other as they fall asleep.
Posted by Val | March 18, 2008 01:18 PM