In the Beginning

We all start out as children, but we are not all raised in the same way. Everyone comes from a different background and even those raised in the same family have a uniqueness all to themselves. 

Recently, I joined yet another Monday night Macek Maverick call. These bimonthly phone calls with my siblings began in 2020. Every other Monday, whoever is available, dials in. A question is sent out ahead of time and each sibling on the call gets a chance to answer the question, mostly, without anyone interrupting them.

The data keeper of the family gave an interesting report saying that over the course of the last four years, we’ve had 130 family calls equating to 130 hours of time speaking to each other.  Frankly, I would never have predicted I’d spend this much time with my family.

Near the bottom of the birth order ladder, I grew up as the sixth of seven kids. Because of my age, my older sisters disregarded me. I was an unimportant little sister. I was on the outside of their world; boyfriends, fashion magazines and the Beatles. 

I didn’t have too much to do with my oldest brother, ten years ahead of me. He always seemed in a hurry or mad. And I didn’t want to have anything to do with my little brother who was born on my third birthday.  

The youngest in a big family always encounter teasing from the older ones. One of the favorite lines often used against me was, “Terese, did you know you were adopted?” It was hard not to believe that I was not the adopted child. Most of the time, I did not feel like I fit in with the rest of the family.

Then there was the bossing around from the older ones. “I’m older, I get to use the bathroom before you,” or “I’m in charge so you have to do what I am telling you to do.”

I remember taking my complaints about my siblings to my mother whose counsel was short, but not sweet, “If you cannot get along with your family, you won’t be able to get along with others.”

She was right. With six different siblings, there were six unique personalities. Even though it has taken me nearly a lifetime to appreciate their uniqueness, I finally have. After years of disconnection between me and them, I’ve reconnected and I am glad.  

Why Bother?

Why bother reconnecting to family? My siblings are a mixture of the creative and colorful, the rebellious and stubborn, as well as the gentle and soft hearted. Mom was right. 

Accepting and loving my siblings has opened the door to accepting and appreciating all kinds of people.