I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.
Today’s prompt is family.
Sisterless but Brother-Rich
I’m jealous of women with sisters
I never had one
I had a seven-year-younger brother
Whose care fell largely to me
And I fear I wasn’t a very good sister to him
When my parents were old and sick
I lived across the country
And my brother shouldered the responsibility
Doing the chores they couldn’t
Chauffeuring them to doctors
Caring for them tenderly
Finally moving in with our father
After our mother passed away
It wasn’t easy
Caring for a man who didn’t always recognize him
Who knew very well what he had lost
But my brother committed himself
To helping Dad live with dignity and purpose
I always wanted a sister
But I got an incredible brother
Who taught me volumes about family and love
Beautiful!
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Beautiful. I have 8 sisters and 7 brothers. I would lend you a sister for a day.
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Wow! Your parents are rock stars! I have three daughters and two sons, and our lives were constant chaos! I can’t even imagine being part of a family with 16 kids! Are you close to any of your sisters?
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Yes, I like to think we all grew up kind of viewing ourselves as one person, in a way. We were so close together throughout our entire lives, I didn’t realize how deeply we were all entertained until my sisters got married. I was terribly heartbroken when the sisters closest to my age got married and moved away. I am also close to most all of my brothers, and we all are close to each other in general. ☺️
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Very moving!
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Wonderful tribute to your brother. I hope he reads it.
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Today’s prompt does not always lead to ‘easy’ poems. I also hope your brother has a chance to read your poem, for it affirms much about your relationship and your appreciation for how he cared for your parents.
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A beautiful tribute to your brother.
I’m the one that lives closer to my mother, but I’m afraid that because of my own health problems, I’m not able to be of much help. Back when she was my father’s caregiver, my health was better but I was always working. It’s hard to watch a parent decline.
~Cie~
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