OH BROTHER, WHAT A GIFT!

Darrell’s Siblings Shaped His Life

Growing up, I was the youngest of six children. My parents had three boys and three girls who filled our home with laughter, playing, and sometimes fighting! But I wouldn’t change my childhood for the world. Some of my fondest memories take place in my youth, and it’s because I grew up in a large family with my parents and siblings.

My closest brother is 13 months older than me, and he’s the person I spent most of my time with. We would ride our bikes everywhere and play basketball, baseball, and football with the neighborhood kids. We’d shoot targets and empty soda cans with our BB guns in the backyard.

Just about every day when we played, an argument would happen between me and my brother, and then it would often end up getting physical to the point where we were wrestling and punching each other. Our older siblings would have to jump in to break us up. Shortly after, we always came back together and made up. We would start playing again like nothing ever happened, and then we’d be best friends again. We always supported each other when needed. That’s what family is all about.

I can’t thank my family enough for being the best support system and providing me with an example of what to strive for. As I created a life for myself, I always wondered what relationship my children would have with their own siblings.

Now, I finally get to experience it!

As most of you know, I have four daughters. Our first three are a year apart from each other and are in high school together, while my youngest is in elementary school. Throughout the years, my wife and I have been adamant about teaching them that their relationships with their sisters is the most important relationship they’ll ever have and that they need to always look out for each other.

And they do. My daughters have a great relationship — they seem inseparable! My three oldest are on their high school varsity dance team together, and it’s incredible to see them do what they love. Now that my oldest can drive, they always carpool when going to the gym or hanging out with their friends. Although there is almost a seven-year age gap between my third and youngest daughters, they make it a point to include my 8-year-old whenever they can.

I look forward to seeing their relationship flourish as they experience life. I know they are in good hands because they have each other.