Family Heirloom

In my nineteen years, I have always been proud of having a large family.  Somewhere along my journey thus far, however, I had grown used to the idea of having such extended connections. I recently realized that I somehow have been taking it for granted. I have never forgotten about them, and I take comfort in knowing they are there; the fact is always in the back of my mind, but that's the thing. 

While it is impossible to see my whole family at any given time, I share a unique relationship with each family member.   I remain on (at least) good terms with everyone in my family.  Where this is going, is that it just dawned on me that they are the reason I am as fortunate as I am about where my life is going.  They are the reason I have been so successful, so far.

To explain myself a bit more in depth:  Being that my family is so large, it can be expected that there is a large variety of personalities and  ways of living. (You'd be surprised how very different people who were raised exactly the same way can be!)  Because of that, I have been inspired and moulded by the examples and decisions of each person in my family.

My oldest brother, Matt, is to become an Officer in the US Navy upon graduating from NC State this summer.  From there, he will attend flight school in Pensicola, FL to begin training for a career as a Naval Flight Officer. He is a highly intelligent, very patient, quiet-yet-fun, novelistic idea of an oldest brother.  He is perhaps not very challenged in his education, being too smart for his own good.  Either way, he is very respected among others, myself included. 

Next in line is Kevin, who could not be more different.  He is still trying to find what exactly he wants to do with his life.  He is one of those people who is able to become passionate about whatever he is doing, almost to the point of obsession. He is also very talented in many ways I wish I was. Throughout his school years, he had to work a little bit harder for the same effect as those who didn't put forth much effort.  Because of that, he has searched for alternative ways to survive in the "real world".  Currently passionate about golf, he works as a caddy in Pinehurst.  Searching for his next move, he is bracing himself at home, gaining some resistance before taking off again.

Brittney is my older sister, right before me.  Like Kevin, she has taken an indefinite break from school, viewing it as a barrier from doing what she really wants to do: become a movie star.  She is a successful waitress, happy with her latest boyfriend, and living with her dad.  Growing up, she encouraged me to live by my heart, pursue my talents and passions, and not to care what others think about me.  She is the sister that is also a best friend.  I owe a lot of my confidence to her.

Right below me is my younger brother, Patrick.  He is the perfect combination of all of us older kids.  He has the brains, the looks, the talent, the swagger...haha.  He gets perfect grades without trying, he is practically famous in his school (EVERY girl in his school wants to date him), and he is recognized by respected musicians around the town for being a proficient guitarist.  He also dabbles in singing and songwriting.  His dream is to go to Berklee College of Music and become the next John Mayer.

Michael is a red-headed leprechaun of a little brother, trying to figure out how to make the smoothest transition from elementary to middle school.  He makes being cool an academic subject, studying the "textbook" of popularity.  Largely misunderstood (being the youngest child in one house), he remains my best friend still at home.  I can tell he looks up to me (to a certain extent), so I enjoy spending one-on-one time with him.  He is just like me, only far ahead of where I was at the same age. So, though he'd never understand it, he teaches me more than I teach him.

Peyton is next.  Extremely intelligent, just like Matt.  Peyton knows more about some subjects (especially sciences), than I think I may ever comprehend.  He is one of those people who likes to read and watch educational things, to learn just for fun. He's also the engineer-type. He has a unique personality, and while he is still growing and finding his way, he is firm in his beliefs, and I'm inspired by his self security.  He idolizes Matt, and that is not a bad thing at all. 

Last, but certainly not least, is my mini-me, Paige.  She is a confident, outgoing, sassy six-year-old who says she wants to be like me when she grows up.  I'm not sure that is such a good thing, haha, but it does keep me in line, to remain a good role-model for her.  Being my only little sister, I think I adore her more than she adores me.  Also, her level of confidence at her age is very reassuring to me, because that's what I lacked at her age.  It is also inspirational.  If I could teach her only one thing, however, it would be independence.  But that will surely come with time.

As for my parents, each of them has a different but important impact on me.  Having four of them, I have a full range of influences.  I am most like my dad, and he has perhaps the largest influence on me.  We have the same personality and sense of humor, and he's careful about guiding me in the right direction.  My mom (the one I don't live with) always encourages me to pursue my dreams, and not let any obstacles prevent me from achieving them.  The mom I do live with is a yoga teacher, so she always offers emotional viewpoints, but she is aslo highly realistic and rational.  My step-dad (who I don't live with), acts as a guidance counselor, providing real-world advice in terms of education and career.

I am the kind of person that takes much pride in being independent and working hard for what I want. Sometimes viewed as stoic, uncaring, and even self-important, the facts that my self-standards are high, that I want to do things on my own,  and that I will do whatever it takes to achieve my constantly heightened ambitions, are closer to the truth. And while that has brought me a long way, even further have I come as a direct product of my family members.