My brothers often ask me what was the best day of my life; they smile sweetly waiting for me to say the day they were born. Really I’d have to say one of the best days of my life was before that-the day I found out they’d be coming to join me. I had been an only child long enough, 8 years. When I was told I’d finally have siblings, I rolled around laughing and crying, There are few times I’ve ever done that in my life-maybe that was the only time .
I remember when I was asked what I wanted the baby to be I always said a girl, of course. Really I probably just wanted a live doll I could dress up. When I found out it was a boy I was delighted, a bit scared for it was something so different as to what I was, a complete mystery. Then I found out they were twins there’d be two, and my life changed again completely it’s like the gates of heaven were wide open. I knew God was giving me two because I had to wait so long. To me this was God keeping his promise ten fold.
You see, I don’t think I ever genuinely felt jealous of them, or the attention they got. Instead I’d stand over their cribs watching their angelic faces smile as they slept. I held them close and smelled their baby smell drinking it all in. Perhaps that was the first time I fell in love.
Through life despite age differences, we’ve been a close family, weathering hard times. Dad has no idea what he’s missing, or maybe he does.
I’ve learned so much from them and laughed from their funny ways only they could come up with. I grew to love their stuffed animals and socks they so deeply cared for and played with, especially Kitty, the purple bunny who I sewed together countless times.
I taught them to make funny faces, and whispered jokes in their ears in random places. Looked at them with that look where all you do afterwards is laugh in complete understanding, and I’ve made them my accomplices for gifts and other such secrets. We’ve sung and danced to Bollywood films, laughed, jammed to our favorite songs, gone to the library so many times the librarians know us, I taught them to write their names and to speak basic French.
I’ve learned from the strength they’ve shown as they’ve dealt with things I never had to deal with at their age, they’ve made me see so many blessings in life, and have served as a reason to try to keep being a better person.
As cliché as it sounds, they’ve taught me a lot about life and about being a mother. Because I’ve watched them grow up I feel like a mom in a way. They’ve taught me an unconditional love I had never known, a pride you feel when they succeed, a pain you feel when they are sad.
I’m proud of their determination, and how much they love God and try to honor Him. They are such wonderful kids. When I look at them I see a bit of myself maybe. That innocence, faith and humor. That belief that you can be who you want to be, learn what you want to learn, that nothing is impossible. I know they love me very much, their admiration they are bad at hiding. I just want them to know that I love them so much more, and that my admiration for them goes past the stars. I thank them for everything they’ve taught me, and for letting me experience even if it’s a small bit of the love God has for His children.
Happy Birthday Luis and Sammy.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 