Favourites

You know how parents say they have no "favourite child"? Well, there's a little untruth in that, especially when it comes to big families. There's almost always a favourite, maybe definitely not the same child every time although there are those that take to the podium more often than others.

Exhibit 1
As I write this post, my lovely parents are fast approaching the end to an 11hr road trip to drop off their last born, the sweet peach, at grad school. Yup, that's right, 11hrs of driving across a state or 2 or 3. Given the evidence before you, one can reasonably conclude that this time, on this occasion, the little sis is the favourite although the parents would never, ever admit to that. 

There's a reason I say all this. Most of us went to boarding school in primary and high school and when it came time for school, we were taken to the bus station, bags packed and bus fare in hand and dropped off at respective departure bays. You would be lucky, I say very lucky to get waved off let alone being driven 11hrs there.  

So compare and contrast the 2 paragraphs above....I'll leave that for you to mull over.

Exhibit 2
If you hear my parents say, so and so "is so much like" their first-born, then you can find the highest point in town (a hilltop would be most ideal), run up and scream "I have arrived!!!". Being likened to my first sister, well, it doesn't get any bigger or better than that. Don't get me wrong, my brothers and sisters are pretty amazing but the first is the trend setter, the ever smiling hardworker and high achieving in every sense. If I'm ever likened to my sister, I will quit everything and live off that compliment. 

She's had it the hardest being the first child, that's not an easy task with high expectations on when she crawled, walked, uttered her first words, went to school, the first parent-teacher meeting, high school, college, first job and every other milestone there is. Imagine living with that around your shoulders. Eishh that's not easy.  

So one could argue, she's my parents' favourite in some most instances but I think she has earned it. Of course if you told her and them, they wouldn't believe you but trust me, it's true. 

In case you're wondering, my parents say they do not have a favourite, they love us all the same and all their children have their strengths and weaknesses. It's what parents are supposed to say. 

Yes, the youngest one can get away with just about anything while the first sets the way for the rest of us...I think I speak for all my siblings when I say, we wouldn't have it any other way.  

Oh don't worry, there's a part 2 to follow, there are 8 kids, a lot of favourites...but that's a post for another day.