My big happy family: Celebrating my 7 sisters and 6 brothers
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My big happy family: Celebrating my 7 sisters and 6 brothers
I celebrate each one of my siblings and want to share a loving brief glimpse of the unique way each of them has impacted my life.
I was fortunate enough to grow up as the youngest child in a family of 14 children. Yes, 14 children, not a blended family, all by the same mother and father. There were 8 girls and 6 boys. For me, this was an amazingly wonderful way to grow up. I fondly recall laughing in her playground, lots of birthday cakes, sibling rivalries, and shared joyful family occasions. I am also grateful that through the years my siblings and I have supported each other through hard times and life’s difficulties such as health concerns, and loss of loved ones.
I celebrate each one of my siblings and want to share a loving brief glimpse of the unique way each of them has impacted my life. With no particular order, and names eliminated, please enjoy my siblings through a glimpse of my Mind’s Eye.
#1 Slick and slim, his hand-painted colorful images of black beauty. His personality was as colorful as his paintings and could, like a drug, entice you to join him on his bold free-spirited adventures.
#2 Authentic! Short platinum blonde curls, bright purple eyeshadow, over gorgeous light brown eyes, my sister with hands on her ample hips, was not afraid to be herself. No matter who approves or not, take her or leave her. She taught me how to be self-confident and self-reliant. She has been a great influence on my unique fashion sense and bold lifestyle. Authentic!
#3 Brown eyes hidden behind cool shades and a black tam hat covering clean-shaven hair, my brother stood straight and tall as a community warrior and proud member of the Black Panther Party. His pride was his weapon of choice and his presence protected my young heart from racial injustice. I pray he now has the peaceful rest that he so courageously longed for in this world.
#4 A black John Wayne, my brother was the voice of law and was the image of confidence, self-respect, and authority. He did not play. However, behind the hard metal badge, I always felt he had a tender heart that loved me as a baby sister.
#5 Imagine Tyra Banks with boxing gloves, that is my sister. She is tall, athletic, and beautiful but also hard, strong, and ferocious. My little legs tried to keep up with her long stride and my tiny hand held tight to her hard grasp as she dragged me through the streets of Chicago. She admonished me to walk straight, with my head held high and never look like I don’t know where I am going. When I was with her, I feared no bullies, gangsters, or boogeymen. She has always been a fighter, stood up to cancer, beat it down, and has been a survivor for 5 years.
#6 My five-year-old nimble legs wrapped tightly around the long straight strong leg of my brother. With shining trusting eyes, I’d look up at him as he pulls me along as if I am riding a pony or polo stick. With laughter, I explained over and over, “I love you! I love you!” Today I wonder if because of Polio, he felt any pain in the leg that gave me so much delight.
#7 Ever tried to catch a frog? he sits still for a minute and just when you’re about to reach your hands out to grab him he jumps and leaps away. That’s what I felt about my elusive brother. There were times through the years where he was a stable constant presence around me. I loved his cheerful nature and his spiritual essence. Then, just like the frog, he would be gone to explore other waters, gentler streams, or other worlds that were calling him names. I would feel him slipping through my fingers during those times but somehow he always came back to the familiar lily pad, let me feel his presence again, and reconnected with me.
#8 My brother, puller of my ponytails and ever-present tormentor, delighted in seeing his baby sister cry out in frustration and fear. Yet, he comforted me when I woke from nightmares, sang beside me in the church choir, and encouraged me to be a solo vocalist and writer. He called me Bra, (“Bruh”) instead of Debra and that became a special term of endearment between us, making me feel special and unique. He had that effect on everyone.
She taught me to not be defined by where I am from but to define myself by where I choose to go.
#9 My sister and I were opposites, she was slim, quiet, and sweet. I was chubby, loud, and sassy but we had a great relationship. I remember one day I tried to make her gain weight, I spent all my allowance buying penny candy which she preceded to eat one by one. I carefully watched to see if her body would grow thicker and thicker with each bite. To this day we laugh about that time because she kept encouraging me to buy more to see if the next one would do the trick. This camaraderie between us, even though our personalities are different had given us a shared genuine love and affection. Through the years we have grown more alike and yet appreciate our unique differences.
#10 As elegant as Lena Horne, my sister wore dainty white pearls and faux fur on bare shoulders. With adoring eyes, I watched her gracefully move from the concrete jungle of our southside Chicago neighborhood to the ivory towers of academia. She taught me to not be defined by where I am from but to define myself by where I choose to go.
#11 My older sister and I were almost like identical twins. We looked alike, talked alike, and even sang in the same sweet alto voice. We were similar in temperament and as we grew older, we were even closer in our spiritual bond. We comforted each other through painful health struggles which she bravely withstood until the end. I know she is with me as I carry her presence in my heart.
#12 I recall the photo of my sister with long black hair, sitting cross-legged, as she leaned back on an outdoor fountain in Italy. Then, there’s another snapshot of her on a sunny beach in Puerto Rico. Another snapshot of her in the cold winters of Germany. My sister explored exotic places and cultures, mesmerizing me with exciting tales. With my hesitant nature, I could only hope to be as free-spirited and carefree as she. This led me to want to be free-spirited, explore the world, and be open to experiencing new cultures and new worlds.
#13 You are immediately drawn to my sister. My sister’s vibrant presence, her brilliant smile, her flawless makeup, and her fantastic outfits. Before I had ever heard of Jane Fonda I was in aerobics class with my sister, who put me and my other siblings through calisthenics and vigorous exercise. She even taught us about nutrition, encouraging us to eat fruits and vegetables when we preferred soda and candy. She taught me how not to be limited by physical challenges and to passionately live life without boundaries.
As we celebrate our sibling relationships, whether you have sisters and brothers by blood or by choice, I hope you take the time to let them know the significant role they play in your life and how much they mean to you.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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