When my father spoke around our home, it was often a commandment; loud and directed at one or
more of my siblings(remember, it was a 7 of us at that time, from age 4 to 17.)
We were not stair-stepped kids, Our births were separated by about 3 years for the most part.
Good family planning.
To give you an age perspective, my eldest brother was of age to have theoretically been a father
when I was born.
All nine of the offsprings were never in our home together as a family. Father's general rule was at
age 18 or high school graduation, it was time to leave the nest.
We were allowed to come back. All but the two eldest sons would not return. I returned for 2
months before I decided to go it alone. I had been alone for 4 years in college.
I think my mother agreed and appreciated the rule also...I never heard her try to convince anyone
otherwise. (lol.)
While adolescence growing up, my 2 older brothers were not a regular part of our household. Our
eldest brother relocated up North for life. My second eldest brother was always in the wind.
I would only see my eldest brother number #1 less than 8 times as an adult. Each visit was a
celebrated occasion and it was hard to see each other part ways. My big brother...He always had me
smiling on our short visits
It seemed to me sibling number #1 was my father's favorite son...that is until I was born...maybe by
default, but after the births of 5 straight girls, he might have been glad to see a change..My
guess...lol.