When I was younger, I was the baby of the family for 8 wonderful years. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed being the baby of the family until this position was usurped. I will never forget the day I found out Mom was pregnant with Timmy. Molly, Mom, Dad and I were all having dinner, homemade pizza. Bridget was there as well, but she wasn't eating with us as she was on the phone and leaning against the wood stove. She already knew the big news, but wanted to watch it unfold as Molly and I found out, and she was relaying the whole thing to her friend on the other end of the phone.
I was pretty excited about the meal because it wasn't something we ate often. Soon after we began eating, Mom said that she had something she had to tell us, and she sounded pretty serious. I can't remember if Mom or Dad said it, but I remember the news felt like a punch to the stomach. There was shock and then there were tears that didn't stop. My mouth was filled with food, but my throat wouldn't work to swallow. I dropped my head to my plate, spit out my food, and sobbed, "WHY! Why? Why..." to my parents, maybe there was some hows and whens in there too. To make matters worse, Molly was so excited and happy. She had no sympathy, probably because I was the one who took her position as baby. She had always loved telling me the story about how shortly after I was born, she couldn't take anymore of my screaming so she told Mom to "throw that baby out in the snow." I think she was happy to see my tears.
Bridget was talking quietly to her friend with a horrified look on her face as she watched me cry, she was telling her friend everything that was happening. I couldn't believe that everyone wasn't reacting the same way I was. Mom told me to come to her and she comforted me as I cried the rest of my tears. I remember feeling some bitterness towards her since she was the reason for my agony. Once the shock wore off, the news wasn't so horrible but I still wanted to be the baby of the family. The next day at school all the teachers teased me about what had happened; Molly had relied the story. They said things like, "Ohhh, are you sad you're not going to be the baby anymore? Hehehe." I didn't find any humor in their jokes, and I was angry at Molly for telling them how I reacted.
As time passed, I became more used to the idea, but I still didn't find it ideal. It was during this same period that I thought the world of Bridget. I wanted to be just like her, I got jealous when Molly spent time with her and I wasn't there, and I hated when Bridget wasn't around. About five months after I had found out about the pregnancy, Bridget and I and Mary were riding our bikes around the block. We were talking about the upcoming baby and Bridget made the simple statement that she was excited about its arrival, Mary said she was too. I had no idea they felt this way and I asked Bridget, "Really?" When I looked at her and saw that she was serious, something changed in me. Suddenly, I saw that this could actually be something to look forward to and not dread. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how exciting it actually was. And it really was wonderful because he was (and still is!) an adorable, sweet, and lovable baby brother. I only hope he appreciates his position as much as I did.
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