Every family has it's own story, some crazier and more complicated than others. My family is certainly on the complicated side. When I was three years old my father passed away of bladder cancer, leaving my mom to take care of me and my two brothers. When I was in first grade I met a girl named Krystal and we became instant best friends. She also had two brothers and a dad who had divorced when she was only two.
To make a long story short, we convinced our parents to get married (after a few years of hard work) and it totally worked. So at nine I was now one of six children. As much as I would love to say that everything went smoothly from there, things actually got more complicated (I know you are surprised). There were lots of fights over who was being spoiled and who was being annoying. All of this changed my life so much. I love my family, all of them, no matter how crazy we all are. The thing that changed my life the most about my family happened only about 5 years ago now.
On February 27, 2005 my parents woke up me, my step-sister, my two older brothers, and my younger step-brother unusually early. I remember the look on my dad's face. My mom could barely speak as the words forced their way out of her mouth. My older step-brother, someone I had known as family since I could remember, committed suicide in Oklahoma where he had recently taken residence with his birth mother. The loss of him changed my family forever, and not a day goes by that I don't think about him.
Such a sad turn. From the Brady Bunch to a really heavy-hearted tale of family loss. I am so sorry to read of your step-brother's suicide.
ReplyDeleteThis reads as a good first step toward healing, and perhaps even bringing healing to other families. I encourage you to explore this more within yourself and your family members, and perhaps pen an essay that fully features your step brother.