We share photos and stay in touch regularly, sharing in each other's challenges and triumphs. It wasn't always this way. When we were younger, we didn't get along. With three children in the family it was easy for two girls to gang-up on the other, excluding her from games and gossiping about her. Sometimes these arguments would last for days. As we grew older, we developed into very different people with our own interests and identities. When our family faced a number of hardships, my sisters and I stuck together, knowing that it would be better to have each other's care and support rather than face our family difficulties alone. This experience only made our bond stronger, and I am so grateful to have my sisters' support when times are tough. I can't imagine what it would be like for people who do not have any siblings during difficult times, especially when your parents are causing the difficulties! My sisters and I have had to work on our relationships over the years, as the eldest I try to make sure I am not too bossy and I let my sisters have a say. My younger sisters have also had to take on their share of the responsibility, rather than leave it all to me. For the relationship to work, we need honesty and trust, but because we care about each other, it is easy to do that most of the time. In the end, the support, love and the special connection I share with both of my sisters makes it all worth it. .
I don't think any of this would have been possible without the love and support of my Nan. She was the most loving and welcoming person I have ever met. She was the perfect role-model to teach me about loving and including others. My Grandmother's kitchen was the heart of her home. Not that nan was a great cook. She had a rolling repertoire of five tasty meals that she cooked with consistent results and lashings of butter. She reluctantly experimented with new foods us grandkids requested, pasta with tomato sauce, and toasted sandwiches in the flashy sandwich machine we gave her one Christmas.