I am the last of three boys.

My poor mother.

My parents were married in Westland, Michigan and promptly moved across the state of Michigan to settle in Keeler, Michigan.

My Mom was one of 11 children. My Father was the last of 3. He had 2 older sisters.

My brothers are 4 years apart. I am 11 years separate from my eldest brother, and 7 years from my middle brother.

I was a surprise child.

Not a happy one either if you listened to my brothers. I remember being told of how things were so much better before I came along. Such a warm and loving sentiment.

i still remember being at my Grandparents for a holiday gathering…don’t remember if it was Thanksgiving, or Christmas….when my Mother commented on me being a surprise. I was young enough to not really care that much about it. But as the years have moved on it has become more important to me.

You see, there is something to be said about the relationships you have with your sibs. A friend has been posting pictures today of family gatherings. Another friend has been talking about her bond with her sibs and her cousins.

I don’t have that. Too many years between. And you also get what you pay for. If you aren’t willing to put in the effort, as I haven’t been, you don’t get the outcome you want.

Another friend is traveling 8 hours to be with her mother and sister.

This summer I am going to be traveling to Michigan to visit with family and friends. I haven’t visited my mother in two years. I haven’t visited with my brothers in the same amount of time. I intend on spending time with my brothers.

You get what you pay for, folks.