Tonight at dinner, Maryam was having a cranky fit. She didn't want to sit in her chair. She didn't want to eat, at least at first. She refused to let mommy feed her, and refused to feed herself. She insisted that her older brother Aidan feed her. "Do you want mommy to give you a bite?" "NO!" Poor Aidan barely got to eat his own dinner, he was so busy shoveling food into Maryam's mouth.
What would Maryam's life be like without her brothers? She would be hungrier, since she's been insisting on them feeding her lately. She'd definitely be more bored; they are the best playmates a kid could ask for. She would only have mommy and daddy to kiss goodnight. She insists on kissing her brothers night-night before going up to bed. Her house would be messier; I rely on the boys to help entertain her when I need to clean and she's cranky.
Maryam's brothers have helped to teach her so much - how to talk, walk, go down slides, how to wrestle, play hide-and-go-seek, how to play tag, and how to color. She lights up whenever she hears them. She bubbles with joy when she sees them. Before she was born they made her a coloring book. They share their toys. Wayne even shares his favorite stuffed animal, Jawsey.
They delight in what she learns, and forgive her when she bites, pushes, or pees on them. Seeing my stepsons with my daughter makes me love them in a different, very powerful way. I get to see a kind, gentle, fun side of them. I am so thankful that they are a part of my life, and a part of Maryam's.
