It was something personal my dad was sharing. I think it was a defensive move to his
pal., whom I notice would smile too much at my mom. I never mentioned it to anyone.
My motive for eavesdropping was it gave me an opportunity to listen to my dad's
voice in a normal tone, not in particular for anything he was saying.
You see, 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. We were really all good kids that carried on to us as
adults.
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 6 weeks before I decided to go it alone. I had been independent for 4
years in college. Sister Number #4 and her family had moved back home during my last
year in college. It was a bit crowded. No one objected.
I think my mother agreed and appreciated the eviction rule also...I never heard her try
to convince anyone otherwise. (lol.)
While a young fella 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 local, but 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.
We always lived hundreds of miles away from each other. 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..