How to Be the Baby

1.) Be born last.

2.) Be treated as less capable than older siblings by virtue of being younger than them.

3.) Always be compared to siblings—their maximum abilities become your minimum expectations.

4.) Try to beat them but fail.

5.) Feel resentful.

6.) Give up.

7.) Grow distant.

8.) Miss family reunions.

9.) Forget their voices.

10.) Wake up at 3 am to a panicked phone call.

11.) Remember the voice on the other end.

12.) Buy last-minute plane ticket.

13.) Attend the funeral.

14.) Stand with them, together.

15.) Go home.

16.) Burn this list.