When I was in second grade, a fifth-grader physically hit me and bullied me. I kept quiet for a while, but then I realized that I have family in higher places (literally, my siblings), so I told them.
I will never forget the cinematic image of my two older brothers and oldest sister walking down the hill to my elementary school, ready to come for anyone who messed with me every day from that point on.
I am the youngest of four. Although, sometimes I want to scream and wish to a genie that I would become an only child overnight. But I would do anything for my siblings, and they would do the same for me.
Of course, the youngest is always stereotyped as the brattiest, and the one to get their way. As offensive as that is, I can confirm it is accurate. So I am the main factor in making them angry at me.
Nevertheless, my siblings and I love each other.
Growing up, we would sneak into the living room while our parents were still sleeping and watch “Power Rangers” while eating Fruit Loops. Even now, when I go home for breaks, we do it because it’s simply tradition.
I was in quarantine when I saw a show called “Shameless” on Netflix. My initial reaction to it was that Cameron Monaghan plays in it, so I would definitely watch it. However, the more I looked at it, the more I realized how good and accurate the show is to a real sibling bond.
“Shameless” is about six siblings who are surviving independently because their parents aren’t there for them.
The show highlights the fact that no matter what, the siblings have each others’ backs. For example, whether the middle child is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and runs off with a baby or the youngest boy is sent to jail, or even when the youngest girl gets pregnant on purpose, they never abandon each other. They fight for each other no matter what.
The show also tackles addiction in the house. There are times when the siblings are so angry with one another, they leave, but they always find a way back.
Of course, my siblings and I didn’t go through extreme measures like this, but we have all had surgeries, and when one of us is down, we pick each other up.
Just like the oldest sister in “Shameless” does for her family, my oldest brother took the fall for us on countless occasions. Even with parents in the house, we always looked to him for advice or solutions to a problem we had.
“Shameless” showed me that being an only child sucks. (No, I’m just kidding!) It showed me that sibling bonds are so real and that we should never take our brothers or sisters for granted, even if you want to tackle them sometimes.
