Big brother or older brother, or what? As a writer, a lover of words, and a stickler for semantics, this is the most heart-wrenching word problem. What-oh-what do I tell my little girl?
Is River her big brother? He is not bigger, and will never be bigger…
Is River her older brother? He is not older – or is he? He will never be older than she…
Please, if you love words, and you care to chime in on this most heart-wrenching of puzzles, let me know what you think, because I really don’t know.
Advertisement
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 14, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Kappy
I just found your blog through glow in the woods. Lost my baby boy almost a year ago. I have a friend I have recently met who had a stillborn 11 years ago and was the oldest in their family. Their 91/2 year old son is my son’s friend and when my son asked if he was the oldest in his family,he said. NO, I have an angel sister. And that was that. I thought it was sweet and perfect
July 14, 2010 at 9:18 pm
gwenzen
Thank you so much for saying. Especially today. I was having a difficult day today watching an older brother and little sister interacting this morning at the coffee shop; missing my son, and knowing that his little sister sweetie will never be able to have that relationship with her older brother. It will be heartwarming to know someday however, that she will hold a special place in her heart as your friend’s child expressed.
I am so sorry for your loss. One year is so hard. Two is hard too… and many days in between. My daughter just turned one in May. It is hard (and wonderful) watching her grow and learning every day what I am missing with my son (hugs, kisses, laughs, steps, words…) If you need an idea for your son’s first birthday, my mother named a star for him through a star registry. <3