As the now middle child, I am clearly excited about having a younger brother.
Did you see that? Did you hear that? That was my two siblings rolling their eyes and loudly groaning in unison. They’ll tell you that they’ve heard this sob story before and that none of it is true. They might even call me a whiny baby, but my brother is actually the baby of the family and the only male offspring, too. I didn’t have a chance at any attention once he was born with his big blue eyes and Gemini charm.
The First Born
Shines Brightly
My sister has the privilege of being the first born, so she walked and talked and did everything first. She was recognized a lot for all the things. She has more childhood photos than my brother and I do put together. She was (and is) the star that shines brightly and holds our family together.
Although my birth was a miracle in several ways, I was the second child, the second daughter, the second to do everything. Ho-hum. I was absolutely boring compared to my sister and less than amazing compared to my brother.
Proof That I Am
The neglected middle child
So, where is the proof that I am the neglected middle child? My siblings were named after our parents. Apparently, they ran out of family names when they got to the second daughter, but rediscovered them when the third child, a boy, was born. Since my siblings were named after our parents, they actually go by their middle names. Me? No parental name, so I go by my first name. No family tradition for me, the neglected one. However, as the second daughter, I rarely am called my name when I am out in the world. I usually get called my sister’s name (and used to be called my mother’s name). Just this past Friday night, someone called me “Denise,” so, 59 years later, I am still not recognized as me; I am neglected by complete strangers!
Summer Babies
Not me
Then, when it came to purchasing things for their offspring, my parents gave my sister all the green things because green was her favorite color. Likewise, my brother got all the blue items. Me? I got whatever color was left over; I, being the neglected one, didn’t have a special color like they did. They also were both summer babies and got all the cool summer toys like squirt guns and bikes. They played endlessly outside with all the neighborhood kids. On the other hand, I was a winter baby who knew only hibernation. No awesome summer toys for me! In addition to being born during the same season, my siblings both played brass instruments while I played the clarinet, which no one enjoyed listening to because when the clarinet is played by a beginner, it can screech quite piercingly.
In the Middle
The best place to be
I could go on and on and on, but let’s move on instead. In theory, I was born into the worst birth order position possible with two siblings who stole the show on innumerable occasions with their talents and personalities. I stayed out of the way, hidden from view as much as possible. When I was younger, I didn’t want the spotlight, so they actually provided the perfect camouflage for me when I most needed it. Thus, I am grateful that I don’t live in the world of theory.
I somehow ended up in the middle of the best siblings ever. They have protected and supported me in all of my adventures and misadventures. They have loved me when I didn’t even love myself. They have truly shown me what dedication and devotion to family means in the very extreme long run since they have both enjoyed long marriages and raised wonderful children into adults. Without them, I would not be here today; I would not be who I am today.
So, I titled this post “The Neglected Middle Child,” so they wouldn’t read it. Heaven forbid they find out how much I appreciate and love them and their families for all the things! Please don’t tell them.
Sending you familial love and sibling light,
Angela Jane