When Paths Cross
In some families everyone seems to follow in the same footsteps; somehow they share the same passions, like the same kind of people and end up studying at the same universities. For those families, that works perfectly well, but for others each person chooses to carve a new and unexplored path. I am the baby of four and I have grown up learning from, admiring and observing my three older and
very distinct siblings. And when I analyze my own personality it is apparent that I have copied and pasted bits and pieces of each them into the document that is me. This is partly subconscious but also because, like most younger siblings, I have adopted those characteristics and mimicked the actions that my older and more experienced brothers and sisters have already tested on the world. There are certainly some mistakes that we all have to make on our own; but once in a while we get the opportunity to learn from mistakes of others without having to personally suffer the consequences. That is the beauty of being the youngest in a clan.
I often wonder how four people raised in the same home by the same two people can turn out so differently, display such varied passions and talents and take such different paths in life. Most likely the fact that my siblings and I were born over a span of sixteen years has something to do with our broad range of interests; there have been times when I wished that we were more similar because maybe it would make everything easier. Other times I wished that we were closer in age and that we had more opportunities to go through
life's experiences simultaneously. But recently, I have not only come to terms with our generational gaps but I have learned to appreciate them. There is something special about each of us being in a different physical and emotional place in our lives; my brother has given me a sneak peak at the world of being a married parent, and my experience in Spain has allowed him to reminisce about his own travels through Europe. My sisters have shown me the joys and struggles of being working women in their twenties; and if I were not here in Europe my sister, who previously had little interest in travel, might never have ventured over the Atlantic this past week end to meet me and experience the "forty shades of green" that flow over Ireland’s lush landscape.
I am realizing that though each of us are carving our own paths and exploring different fields, and even though our decisions may seem so independent from each others lives, they are not independent at all. Katie’s paths have influenced Lindsey’s, and John’s choices have altered and inspired mine. Our diverse backgrounds, and array of interests do not, and will not keep us apart but they make us more interesting and well rounded people for having each other's lives to dabble in and learn from.
1 comment:
very true stuff........
john
Post a Comment