Sitting down in front of a hot fire with my family. Roasting marshmallows and listening to Christmas music. This was ironic for us because we usually are not all together at the same time. This was very special to all of us and you could tell just by looking at our faces. Times were rough, mom and dad both had jobs, my dad two. Long work days were required where we lived. If you didn't work you didn't eat or get education and definitely not heat in your house for the winters.
I being the oldest was like a second mother to my five siblings. Their ages ranging from only six months to seven. I was thirteen at the time. I had no free time to myself for friends and especially not extra circulars. All my friends were busy playing sports or they had better things to do with their families but either way they had no time for me either.
My parents came home late every night. It was at least nine o'clock or later by that time all the kids were to bed but not me. I stayed up so that I could fill them in on what happened that day when they were at work. I also had to finish my homework which almost never got done and if it did it was a miracle. Every morning I get up and make sure every one of my siblings are okay snuggled in their bed while i get ready to leave for school. Just before I leave I have to make sure that every one of them gets up and gets ready for school, except for the two youngest boys who aren't old enough for school yet they got to stay home with Nana. She would come over everyday for them. Sometimes I think to my self what will happen when she is gone? She is a huge part in our family and I would never ever want to lose her.
