Blood is Thicker Than Water, Always.
No sibling rivalry on this side!
Being bullied from middle school throughout high school was a very life changing experience, however it built character. Personally, I find myself still learning about myself in the midst of forgiveness and healing, but that’s what life is all about. I remember being tormented in my last year of eighth grade and coming home crying to my older brother about my appearance and how much I wanted to look like a different girl.
He told me that kids can be really messed up and that I shouldn’t want to change anything about myself because I’m super dope with a great heart. However whenever I looked in the mirror for reassurance within myself, I still felt down. I hated myself. I got my feelings hurt, and when guys started giving me attention I based my beauty upon that for a few years as well. Whenever I got my heart broken, I’d ask myself “What is it about me? I thought he thought I was beautiful!” All that time I didn’t tap into my self love and questioned my own worth based on the treatment of others which wasn’t fair to me at all.
My older brother taught me so many new things. He taught me about self love, giving to others without expecting anything in return, not caring about certain things rather than dwelling on things and expressing negative emotions towards others, and so much more. Though we’ve surely had our ups and downs, he was there throughout the many rough seasons of mine. Being that he is a couple years older than I am, he would have to watch me after school while our parents were at work for hours. While our oldest brother soaked up popularity and was always out and about, we stayed up dancing to Michael Jackson records and doing Taebo work outs, and somewhere in the middle of those years he went from being my guardian/babysitter to my best friend.
There are certain things I refuse to tell my girlfriends and parents, hell, there are certain things I refuse to even admit to myself. However, my brother Adrian is the one I go to about every little thing! Even when they gross him out, like the time I mentioned the regret of losing my virginity to the wrong person. I remember crying some heavy tears earlier this year about my most recent break up, and despite not being able to see my therapist (thanks Covid) or seeing my girlfriends as much as I would’ve wanted to, he was there for me. Through one of the biggest trials I’ve faced thus far. A relationship that was a playground for toxic behavior and narcissism and abuse. While I was stuck in denial, I tried to tell myself things would get better, but Adrian kept it real with me all the way. He knew I would be hurt, but he let me know that those are never debatable in relationships. With that, I took his hard, hard advice and left that trash relationship.
I’m so happy to have a strong relationship with my sibling. A lot of people say that they admire our closeness. Cheers to life long friendship with my best friend forever. May this life grant us more opportunities to explore random places in the city, freestyle to 90s instrumentals whenever we’re bored, teaming up against our parents when they get on our nerves, and gossiping together. Most of all, may this life grant us even more time to support each other’s goals and dreams. This is the one person who has always been in my corner who has never once switched up, and I’m very thankful for that. Shout out to me other half! It’s genuineness of it all for me!
About the Creator
Tiffany Linton
Writer, Actress, Educator, CEO, Singer, if you want more then follow me on Instagram: tiffanymulan
Keep reading
More stories from Tiffany Linton and writers in Families and other communities.
Divine Women Who've Taught Me The Way
As one woman, I am more than adamant to share with the world the impact that a number of other women have left me with. When they say "it takes a village to raise a child," I think it goes far beyond just teaching them right from wrong. Being raised in a family in which women out number men played a large role in the way I was brought up. My grandmothers, aunts and cousins have embodied wisdom, grace, strength, and optimism. Even watching how they would handle situations and grow from them was a blueprint in itself for me to follow when the time came. Although they are all so different, they are the backbones of my family. Plus, they are a rainbow in which they blend together so beautifully (even on the rainy days). Seeing women in my family who were nothing but nurses, teachers, and lawyers around me was only confirmation that everything I do must be done to perfection, because I watched them do their jobs every day. My mom would often tell me that as one of seven children, my grandmother and grandfather made the decision to create their own shop and opening that business is what led them to push my aunts and uncles through school. Sacrifice is a constant theme in this family of mine. Just the thought of my mom and her siblings coming from the sweet, small island of Jamaica and creating a beautiful life for my two older brothers and I spoke volumes. I'm grateful for my dad as well, but hey. This one is for the women! Allow me to proceed. This very same family taught me how to love and how to dream without ceasing. When I grew into myself I found my love for the arts. I grew up with a heart for singing, writing, and acting. I had days when I thought they'd feel disappointed because over time I wanted to go through life and sing about it, or perform spoken word pieces about it rather than graduating from Harvard with a BA in Nursing. I felt like there was someone else they'd rather me be, because that's who they were, but I was wrong (for the most part) I still get the, "You don't want to go back and do nursing?" but I know it's all out of love. I'm happy as an English major though. As long as my parents are happy about it as well, then I am too. The same support she showed me along my journey of becoming who I am today is what will inspire me to be the same kind of mother to my future child. The powerful women in my family reminded me that they'll be right behind me as I follow every goal I've set until I reach the pinnacle of my success. They carried traits that reminded me that I am so much more than just a girl and that I am the embodiment of a vital spirit. They still remind me of how I am capable to do anything I want to do in the amount of time that has been granted to me on this earth. My grandmother's prayers have carried over even into today for me to live my life to the fullest even on my not-so-good days. I think the best part of this all is that they've taught me to never prove myself to anybody. I remember every day that I came into this world alone, and that is the same way in which I will be leaving it. I can always depend on them because whenever I am hurting over being mistreated or heartbroken, they remind me that it is okay to feel. It’s not normal to repudiate my emotions and no matter how much the world tries to turn my heart into stone, I carry this with me. They remind me to live my life in harmony with truth and honesty. They emphasize for me to stay focused and to always have a keen eye. Being raised with such care has reminded me of my purpose for walking this Earth. Two forms of the many arts that I adore (music and writing) have presented icons who I look up to, Lauryn Hill and Sista Souljah. I love everything about the spirit of Ms. Hill. She carries herself with so much grace and natural beauty that forces me to just be real with myself and with everyone around me. Her talent is unbelievable and she has a voice that makes me feel like dancing in the middle of a storm. I don't know where the world of music would be without her as one woman. Sista Souljah has taken the boring feel out of reading for me. I loved to write growing up, but I dreaded reading. I became a bookworm after being introduced to The Coldest Winter Ever and A Deeper Love Inside. I think Black urban literature is a significant part of Black culture and those two novels have changed my life, truthfully. They even inspired me to create my own novel which I completed and published earlier this year. I think if the world continues to see through the eyes of the black youth (young black womanhood at that) it would understand us a lot better. She really puts her finest efforts into the pages and I feel every bit of emotion as I read, and re-read, and re-read again. I want to make sure that the young brown girl I bring up is aware of all the things I've learned and experienced from all of these lovely women and then some.
By Tiffany Linton4 years ago in Families
Exploring the Enchantment of Phe Phe Waterfalls: Nature's Majestic Symphony
Phe Phe Waterfalls, located in the serene landscapes of Meghalaya, India, is a hidden gem renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil surroundings. Nestled amidst lush greenery, this majestic waterfall offers visitors a captivating experience, allowing them to reconnect with nature and bask in its splendor.
By dodlashalini 6 days ago in Families
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.