Life on the Nebraska Praire: The Best Birthday Present a Brother Can Get

For 10 days a year my big brother and I are the same age. I was his first birthday present - born just 10 days before he turned a year old. I do believe that my parents must have been nuts. I mean, I can NOT imagine having a 3-month old and finding out that another one was on the way. It was hard enough having a 3 year old and a 2 year old when their respective brothers showed up!

(Back Row) Mike, Darcy
(Front Row) Becky, Cyndi, Roger
Circa 1981

But, back to my big brother. While I personally think he is the luckiest guy in the world to get me for a sister, and as a birthday present to boot, I get the vague feeling that he might not agree. That feeling may be rooted in the various physical and psychological scars that I carry from him or it might just be my imagination. Who knows?

Because I was his birthday present, for 10 days a year, we get to be the same age. Except that growing up those were the most dangerous days of the year.

As hard as it is to believe now, growing up I was a tomboy. I was taller than my brother, faster than him, and meaner than him, at least most of the time. Therefore my parents couldn't really say "Don't pick on her because she's a girl" so instead they said "Don't pick on her because you are older than her." Unfortunately, for 10 days a year that wasn't true. And he made me pay-- I have the scars to prove it!!

But now as an adult, I feel like I am the one that has gotten the present. While we might not always agree with one another or spend a lot of time together, I feel lucky to have him as a brother. I know that he is always there for me. So, now that you are once again OLDER than me - Happy Birthday Big Brother!