My baby brother's son, T.J., just turned one! Oh, how precious it was to see T. J. last month. It was all I could do not to scoop that baby up and squeeze him. It just seems like yesterday that I toted his dad Anthony around on my hip.
I was 11 when Anthony was born and boy was I thrilled. My mom had had a baby when I was 9 and she couldn't have given me a greater gift. And now it would almost be like having our own daycare. What fun! And I did love taking care of those boys. Any task that Mom would let me do, I did it. Many nights I was the one who patted their backs to get them to sleep. I read them bedtime stories, gave them baths, changed diapers, (of course) helped potty train them, played with them, taught them their colors.
And you know what, I felt privileged to be able to do it. Somehow, I think I realized that all those little things, being a part of their daily lives was something special. It was valuable. I was their big sister who was there for them. I was so proud of them because they were mine.
I learned so much from them. One thing is that kids are a lot of work, but they are so worth it. I remember thinking, I don't want them to grow up. And consoling myself by saying that one day I would have kids of my own.
Now I think sometimes," Remember the pure joy you had from something as simple as picking out an outfit for your baby brother to wear, packing the diaper bag, or rocking him to sleep. Allow your self to feel the same joy with your own kids. I know it is different being the mom, but wow, you are living your dream! Embrace it!"
So, when I see little T. J., I see my baby brother Anthony and I turn into that 12 year old girl, who was on top of the world, just taking care of "her" baby. And I realize that I am still that little girl.
