Sibling Contest: The Youngest Sibling

The entries are in! Three stories have been selected. This is the third finalist’s sibling story.  Beginning this weekend you will be able to vote for your favorite. The story with the most votes will win Luke and Leia action figurines! Today I offer you Diana G.’s “The Youngest Sibling” Enjoy!

I had two older sisters and two older brothers. Being the youngest of 5 children, I often felt like I was picked on a little more than my siblings. And though there were some significant age gaps, I somehow always managed to be the one to receive the brunt of unwanted attention.

The year was 1956. My brother and I had ridden the tractor from the farm to the service station.

The Tractor

I had just gotten off the tractor and was waving to my friend Beth who was standing inside the store, when my brother started backing up. Suddenly the tractor tire hit me and knocked me to the ground. Then he proceeded to run right over me. It hurt like the Dickens! At least I’m assuming so, I don’t really remember much after hitting the ground so hard.  At some point my brother did stop the tractor, jumped off and ran to where I was. He looked down at me, and through my tears I swear I saw a smile across his face. Same brother ran over my other brother with a bicycle, so maybe it wasn’t just me.

Both brothers convinced me to stick my finger in a lawnmower. They had sticks. I didn’t have sticks. They made it seem like it’d be fine to put my finger into the blades instead of a stick. Well, they didn’t exactly force me into it, but they certainly didn’t stop me. Lost the tip of my finger on that one.

Both brothers also threw basketballs at my head on a regular basis. If you ask my daughters, they’ll tell you there was definitely some permanent damage done there.

But despite all of those traumatic experiences, I love my brothers, and my sisters, too. Without them I may have grown up without one scar instead of the many I wear daily, but what fun is that? Now I have permanent reminders of how loved I was in return.