'Only Daughter' Journal Entry Response

In what sense do the number and gender(s) of your siblings "explain everything" about who you are today?

I am the eldest girl out of four children. Two girls, two boys, ages 15, 4, 6, and 16. `Just by these numbers you could assume that I have a lot of responsibility. There's a lot of pressure to be a good example and role model to my younger siblings. I'm not being held up or compared to anyone, but I am pressured to be a shining example for my parents to compare my siblings with. The number and gender of my siblings defines who I am! My brother Dakota, a year younger, has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I've never been "alone". As a child, I would always play with him and his other friends...needless to say I became a tom-boy to the EXTREME. To this day I still feel more comfortable and accepted with the male crowds. Me and my brother went through everything together, good and bad, but we handled things differently. My brother was sensitive, temperamental, and at times crazy. Dakota's emotional imbalances made him the focus of my parents' attention. I was the oldest, more mature, I could "handle things better". So by 7 years old I became a loner, not really on my parents' radar. Dakota's temper only grew worse with age, he transformed from this sweet little kid that would play pirates with me on the swing-set, to an angry flustered menace that got his joy from torturing his poor old sister, thus the war began. Me and my brother would fight over any and every thing, and when I say fight, I mean full out brawl. Blood was drawn. He'd pull out my hair, I'd slam his had into the floor...real loving family. After this change in my brother, I became tough. I never cried, I never showed weakness, I'd only fight harder and harder. I'd never show pain or weakness. To this day I'm still a fighter, but rather than my fists, I fight with my words. Rather than a stolen toy, I fight for my convictions. My brother Matthew was born when I was ten, and my sister Savannah, when I was 12. I practically raised my little sister, I felt responsible for her. She was the catalyst that sped up my "growing up process". My siblings made me stubborn, tough, caring, and responsible, and I am so happy of with who I am, and how amazing my siblings are growing up to be. I am proud to be the first born, the elder sibling to three wonderful children.