I grew up an only child.  That can be kind of lonely sometimes.  I remember I used to throw pennies into the wishing wells (fountains) and wish for a brother or sister.  I wanted someone to play with!  

Well, my parents ended up divorcing when I was 8, and I thought my chances for a brother or sister were gone for good.  Then my Dad remarried when I was 11 and his new wife didn't have any children.  What luck for me!  I hoped that they would have a baby right away.  Finally, a brother or sister of my own!  I was even old enough to baby-sit.

Then, years went by and still no brother or sister.  My best friend in high school had five brothers and sisters, so I kind of adopted her family.  Then one evening I was sitting at home looking through a magazine for my dress for my senior prom and my stepmother came in and said, "Guess what?"  I was finally going to have a brother or sister.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I wasn't going to be around to do all the things I had dreamed of doing.  I would be away at college when he was born.  How much time was I really going to get to spend with him?  

My little brother came into this world on October 24 and I didn't realize until the moment that I held him how much I could love someone.  

As time went by, I got married and started working, and as I anticipated, I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked.  One day, when my little brother was about three years old, I had had a particularly bad day; nothing had gone right all day long, and I came home to a grouchy husband who wanted supper right that minute and a house that looked like a tornado had gone through it.  I just wanted to cry.  

I went in to check the answering machine before I began all the chores that awaited me.  I saw that I had three messages.  The first thing that came to mind was, "Oh great, now what?"  I don't even remember what the first two messages were, but I will never forget the third.  "Hi, Sissy, I love you, call me," in the sweet, innocent voice of a three-year-old.  I sat down and started to cry.  Not because of all the things that were overwhelming me before, but because I realized, in that very moment, that not everything is as bad as it seems.  Something as simple as that message showed me lucky I really am.  

My little brother has taught me more than anyone in this world.  I realize now that God didn't grant my wish for a little brother or sister when I was small because I wouldn't have appreciated it.  Now I appreciate every minute I have with him.  He is my biggest blessing.  Now, at almost 23 years old, I'm going to have a new blessing in a few months: a little sister!

All of my pennies finally added up and I couldn't be any luckier.  I thank God every day for my family and for answering my prayers.

Shellby McCarty
Used by permission

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