There have been quite a lot of people who took parts of my life. Some stayed, while others went on with their journey. Some have even hurt me, some made me mad, some taught me to hate, while others taught me how to love. Different kinds of people, different styles, different ways of touching my life. However, there’s this certain group of people I cannot live without. No matter how mad, angry or upset I am with them, still, I cannot afford to take a step forward without them - my family.

Just like any other families in the world, mine is not perfect. Fights do come off with my siblings, you may call it sibling rivalry if you want to. But, yes, it’s common especially when we’re just kids and tend to just fend for ourselves and be blind to the others. With 5 children in the family, who would expect that the children would never quarrel nor the house would be serene, right? As a member of the family, I picked sides and have been biased to my siblings before. I usually hate those that do not conform to my standards and most often than not, I pick a fight with them.

Furthermore, as a child, I rebel too. There came a point where I’ve hated my parents so much. Guess the time, it’s the teenage years. I once hated my mother for leaving us without even understanding that it’s for our own good that she sacrificed the distance. I hated her for being away and for not being there during celebrations for I want her to be there. Just there - within my reach. To be there whenever any of the family member is sick and to be there when I wake up in the morning and see her dress in front of me and letting me fix her hair. Guess what? I hated my father too! I hated my father for being so hot headed, for being very impatient and for raising his voice whenever he’s mad. I hated him for doing something not good in the past. For making me witness my mother crying. However, that was a very long time ago. The hatred vanished already.

By and by, I have learned. I have come to understand and appreciate them. As I am writing this, I am ashamed of myself for hating them for reasons so shallow and so childish. This is because though my family is not perfect, but they are very loving, after all. Now, allow me to introduce my family - how I once hated them and loved them now.

My brother Mark

For the most part, he has a long list of slip ups in the family. I hated him for that. He’s the free spirited one and the happy-go-lucky type of person. He’s also the spoiled brother who usually gets what he wants and sometimes, he goes out of his way. Again, I hated him for that. However, now that I have learned, I have appreciated him and loved him ever. No matter how many slip ups he’s done, still, when my parents are not home, he takes the role - disciplines and looking after us. See, whenever he’s home, he sees to it that we are well fed and cooks scrumptious meals for us to enjoy. Though he is the most strict brother I ever have, he is the sweetest too. And just like any other eldest brother, he sees to it that we, the girls, don’t get astray and waste our lives. He has been a role model for me and made me swear to myself to never do the drinking and the smoking. He taught me to never imitate him as we are not alike.

My brother Jonathan

My brother Jonathan is the shy one. I never really have problems with him except for being the lazy sibling that he is. This is because, he never really do household chores. You still have to force him or get really mad at him before he’ll do what he’s told. He’s stubborn, yes. However, he is the calm type. He seldoms get angry and really knows how to keep his cool. In fact, it has been years since I’ve seen him really angry. He’s the type who would just stay quiet around the corner. For this reason, I admire his understanding as well as they way he keeps his patience at bay. He taught me how to tolerate and how to understand things without getting angry. Just like my brother Mark, he is sweet too! He shows his affection in his own little ways because as I have said, he’s the shy one.

My brother Marvin

Among my brothers, he’s the closest one to me. I can easily open up to him. I do remember during my first year in high school, he has been my best friend. I share my secrets to him and I confide in him. I also hang around with him for quite some time. He has always been open to me and shares his insights to me. For this, he taught me how to be open. He taught me how to communicate. I do hate him at times when he underestimates me though I know he does this playfully only. And there was this time that he hurt me. I don’t know if he knows this, but I cried and was deeply hurt when I knew he’s going to be a father. Maybe a part of me is jealous for he will not be there whenever I would want someone to talk to. But, he defied my fears and have stayed the way he is back then. I am actually proud of what he has become today.

My only sister Shanel

Shanel and I are like cats and dogs before. We never come into terms and would fight even with inconsequential matters. Among the siblings, we have the biggest sibling rivalry. Maybe because we’re on the last and we’re outnumbered by boys. Lucky, my parents have played fair to the both of us. Maybe they do this to keep us from fighting. LOL! However, today, she has become my best friend. She may not know it, but we’ve been very close lately. Without my mother, we have learned how to look after each other’s needs. Probably because we’re the only girls in the family and we’re the only ones who can understand our needs as girls. I love my little sister a lot and no matter how stubborn she is, I’ve come to tolerate her at times.

My Father

Like I have said a while ago, I hated my father for things I have mentioned. However, now that I’ve grown and matured, I feel really ashamed for nurturing the hatred. My father is really sweet and a very understanding man. I love how he would wake up early just to drive me to the office before. I mean, he can go to his office anytime he wants to but he usually wakes up early just to spend time with us. I love how he would drive for me whenever I ask him to. I love how he takes note of the things I love and how he tries his best to provide the family. My father may be very short tempered, but when it comes to grave situations, he’s able to understand. He knows and understand that people commits mistakes and we are not perfect. When serious situations come up, I admire how he keeps his cool and talk calmly about the situation.

My Mother

Yes, there came a time when I have hated her (refer to the things I’ve mentioned above). Yet, now that I have matured, I am also ashamed for hating her. I love her and I really do. I appreciate everything she does for us. It is through her that I have learned how to give. She inculcated that in me. She taught me how to love unconditionally and how to help those in need. It was through her that I learned how to be thoughtful and caring. What amazes me though is the way she shows she loves us no matter how far she is. See, even though we’re countries and a thousand miles apart, still, I can feel her love - her unconditional love. And, just like anyone else in the family, she has become my best friend too. I confide most of my problems with her. She may not know it, but sometimes, when I am really down, a chat with her could always make my day already. She comforts me and tries to make me laugh when she senses that I need some cheering up.

Now, I know my family will never be like your family. Some of you may have a worse situation that my family has, while some may have a better one. Yet, no matter what the situation is, learn to love them and appreciate them. You’ll be very amazed by how much love you can actually give and feel when the time comes that you let them enter your world, your being, your existense.

To my family, no matter how many friends and lovers that would pass by, in my life, I LOVE YOU MORE.