Sibling Army

Last night was awards night at the high school for fall sports.  Welding Boy and Blue Girl did cross country together this year.  Special since Welding Boy is a senior and Blue Girl is a freshman.

It was awesome to see all the fall sports kids so excited.  In this small town area it is nice to be out doing something for a change.  The auditorium was about half full, better turn out than usual I’m told.

Welding Boy is not competitive, but he had a blast on the team.  A couple of his best friends out here had also run on the team.  None of them were super driven to win every race, but the social aspect of running was exactly what they needed.  He competed in every meet, beat some of his personal best times, and had fun doing it.  Icing on the cake was the boys team winning the district level meet this year.  He received a medal for being part of the team.  If I remember correctly it was the first time the boys team had finished first at districts.

Blue Girl…. She’s another story.  She is driven by competition.  She ran last year, despite her scores not counting she was in the top 5 every single race.  This year, battling sickness and the shattering, she ran in all but 2 races and was still in the top 5 every single time!  She didn’t shatter any personal best times, but she kept her competitive edge.  We looked up college times a couple weeks ago.  She isn’t too far off of qualifying even on an off year.  So now she is driven.  She has a goal to run in college, hoping for a scholarship.  I’m betting next year she will train harder, be faster, and start promoting herself to college coaches.  When this kid sets a goal she doesn’t stop until she’s achieved it.  Anyway, she walked away from the awards ceremony with a trophy for best hustle, her first varsity letter, and a place on the All-District team.

Broken Girl was in the audience with me.  Cheering on her siblings.  Between the two of us, and our friends that sat with us, we made sure both runners were properly cheered for and slightly embarrassed.  As it should be at these things.  It wasn’t long ago that she had been isolated from us.  It wasn’t long ago that she had been under the impression she wasn’t totally welcome to be with us; to celebrate with us ever.  It was awesome to not only have her there, but to have her know she is where she has always belonged.  Her pride in her siblings and all that they accomplish is almost palatable.  She lights up having the opportunity to be their biggest cheerleader.

Movie Boy had another commitment.  He didn’t get to go to the awards.  However, the second he jumped in the car all he wanted to know was “every single detail” of our night.  What awards were given, how did the other kids feel, what awards did our friends receive?  He was there in support of them without physically being there.  He was so excited for them he almost forgot to tell us about his commitment.  We were lucky to get “It was awesome!  We had greasy cheeseburgers and ice cream while hanging out having fun!”

I watch my kids interact now vs. the last 4-5 years.  The changes they’ve made are astounding.  There is no resentment built up.  There is nobody encouraging them to dislike or be unkind to each other any longer.  None of them feels the need to be superior to the others.  There is no pitting each other against the others.  They are free to love one another.  They are free to be a sibling army.  They are confident in each other again.  They want to understand each other.  They are each living their truth, and embracing their truths as a whole.  They want to resolve issues instead of hiding them under the rug. They want and crave peace with each other; they’re making it happen.

It’s been a long time since they’ve truly had the ability to count on each other; to have each other’s backs.  There is a feeling that if it’s them against the world, the world may want to watch out.  They’re an army of siblings that won’t leave anybody behind ever again.

Despite The Shattering happening.  Despite the abuse we’ve all suffered.  There are silver linings popping up.  There are positives emerging and being fostered.  Sometimes the silver linings surprise me.  Sometimes they don’t.  In any case, their bond is stronger than ever now.  I couldn’t be prouder of my kids in this moment.  They are survivors.