“If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child” – Linda Sunshine
Siblings are those people who can bring the worst and the best out of us, and do not hesitate to do so. Siblings are the first best friend you ever have. They’re the ones who’ve grown up with you and beside you. They’ve been the ones to hold your hand and either pick you up or expect to be picked up by you.
The early stages of childhood maybe marked with many fights over the silliest things like chocolates, attention, toys, cookies, friends or even crayons. And just when you think you’re gonna stop picking on such petty things, the pre-teen and teen years come with fights over clothes, shoes, the remote control, laptop, the landline and sometimes even boyfriends. You might hit each other, be nasty, argue or leave nail and teeth scars on him/her but through all this fighting you know your older sibling gives in to your demand most of the time and loses an argument on purpose just so you think you’ve won. Or perhaps you’ve done the same to your younger sibling. You fight like beasts and make up in no time. One minute you’re pulling each other’s hair out and the next you’re laughing about how your mother says “Dude”!
Unknowingly or not, your sibling broadens your personality. Having a sibling automatically makes you more adjusting, caring and empathetic. You look out for each other. You’ve got each other’s backs when they’re in trouble. You bail them out when your parents are giving them a hard time for cutting curfew or wearing that micro mini skirt. Older brothers would of course, make you change out of that skirt and pick you up themselves from a late night party. You might not understand it right away but you know they’ve only got your best interest at heart.
From the nosy, bratty younger sibling that you are or have, to the constant companion who hears you out no matter what the situation or the time, through the years you realise just how much they have done and continue doing for you and you the same. When you think your parents won’t understand the situation you’re going through, you know your sister/brother is always going to and will know exactly the right things to say.
He/she’s that person with whom you let your guard down, with no pretence or the feeling of being judged. With whom you can bawl your eyes out about your friendships and relationships and know you don’t have to bother about sounding vain or stupid. She/ he’s your greatest shopping buddy, your worst critic, your partner in crime, your fashion icon, your grand food taster, your 3am friend, your companion for life. He/she bails you out, pisses you off, saves your butt, steals your cookies, cheers you up and hears you out. There truly ain’t no other like your own kith and kin!