My identity until I was eleven was as the oldest of three kids. Our family of five fitted easily into the cab of an old Plymouth pickup: Dad at the wheel, me straddling the gear shift, brother Jim scrunched between me and Mom, who held baby sister, Pat. Of course, those were the days before seat belts and sanctions against kids in the front seat. Traffic was minor in our sparsely populated farm region and everyone drove a slow old pickup anyway. We graduated to a car when we got older and three in the back seat was anathema, so it was a deal for who got the front seat in the middle of the parents, or who got to ride shotgun if only mom were taking us someplace.
Three kids was slightly above the norm in those days. Most families had two, preferably a boy and a girl, but some ran to two of either gender. Secretly, we felt sorry for those people. How in the heck did you settle an argument if there were only two? Everyone knew majority rules, and everyone also knew to what lengths they’d go to win their side: that night’s dessert, do the dishes on off days, it really depended on what was at stake. Seeing a movie was decidedly more valuable than going to grandma’s, but both were worth more than staying home and playing cards.
The day of the announcement of the impending number four, we all had our secret thoughts: I’d not only be the oldest, I’d have responsibility. Pat would be a BIG SISTER instead of the baby, and Jim would have two little ones to protect; but one thing was for sure: The days of our identity as the Three Musketeers was nearing an end and we’d have to reform our alliances and rethink our public persona. The Fantastic Four was in the making!
VEW
Three kids was slightly above the norm in those days. Most families had two, preferably a boy and a girl, but some ran to two of either gender. Secretly, we felt sorry for those people. How in the heck did you settle an argument if there were only two? Everyone knew majority rules, and everyone also knew to what lengths they’d go to win their side: that night’s dessert, do the dishes on off days, it really depended on what was at stake. Seeing a movie was decidedly more valuable than going to grandma’s, but both were worth more than staying home and playing cards.
The day of the announcement of the impending number four, we all had our secret thoughts: I’d not only be the oldest, I’d have responsibility. Pat would be a BIG SISTER instead of the baby, and Jim would have two little ones to protect; but one thing was for sure: The days of our identity as the Three Musketeers was nearing an end and we’d have to reform our alliances and rethink our public persona. The Fantastic Four was in the making!
VEW
Lovely memories, Virginia. :)
ReplyDeleteSeems like much simpler times back then huh? I like the sound of the Fantastic Four!
ReplyDeleteI love your Sperhero identities as the Three Musketeers and the Fantastic Four!!
ReplyDeleteThree Musketeers and Fantastic Four - that's so cute! It can be difficult for kids when new siblings come into the family, but it sounds like the three of you handled it well.
ReplyDeleteAs an avid comic book geek, you really got me with the Fantastic Four reference. But what I really loved about this piece was the ease with which you described your family dynamic, the culture of your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with us. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the new prompt.