If this is how a proud parent feels, I don’t know how I’m going to act when my little ones get to the age of my baby brother.
We undoubtedly had a rocky childhood. A mother struggling with mental illness…an on again, off again drug addict father. At the tender young age of 11, I had to grow up and help my mom raise and take care of my brother. How can I raise a child at 11 you ask? Although I may not of had a lot to teach him, he was reminded and taught good manners. Saying ‘thank you’, ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘yes sir’. Reading to him to educate him early on, loving him because I wanted him to have everything emotionally that I didn’t have. At the age of 11, I learned and was taught how to take care of him so that my mother could continue work two jobs to take care of us until she couldn’anymore.
No, I didnt do it on my own. I have always had full support of my maternal family. I could not imagine God blessing me with a better group of individuals to raise and help mold me into the woman I am today.
Needless to say, when my brother turned 11 due to unforeseen circumstances I had to assume legal custody of my baby brother. I had to uproot him from the small town that he had lived in since birth and relocate him with me to what seemed like a giant city.
Now mind you, at this time I’ve been married maybe a year or less. I had moved from my 1 bedroom semi college type apartment complex to 2 bedroom mature adult apartment complex. Unbenounced to me, I was making room for my little brother.
Fast forward….he stayed with me through elementary and middle school. Once he reached high school he made the decision to move in with my uncle to be closer to my cousin. They were the same age, would be at the same school and I think it was good for him. Besides I was moving to Atlanta and wanted to allow him to make the decision on whether to move with me or stay. I think it was the best decision. I missed him like crazy but we talked everyday.
Growing up was rough for him. We babied him no doubt because of the situation. We gave him a lot to the point of spoiling him…so it took a while for him to become a responsible young man.
Today he gets keys to his first apartment. An apartment that he found on his own, saved money to apply and get on his own. Started his own electricity. I am elated. I’m so proud of how he is growing up. At 23 he works, he drives, he doesn’t have any kids. I mean I feel like an accomplished parent right now. He may not have gone to college (he tried) and gotten a degree. But he’s doing something and he’s not in the streets. He doesn’t have to worry about furniture because his big sister has him covered!!!
Here I go spoiling him again….🙄
In My Unapologetic Life... 