I was two when we lived in Santiago. We had been in contact with an adoption agency. One night MOM and dad stacked my big sister Alice and me, in our pajamas, in the car and drove him to a House. A few hours later, we were on the way back home and next to us was our new kid brother Tom, aged for three weeks. Initially, it was just a toy, someone make hugs, prod and staring at her. But as they grew older, the inherent differences between us became a deep fraternal love.
Tom was so giggly, and MOM would try to make him laughing hysterically as he ate dinner, that we all loved watching. He was energetic and fresh but could be as intense.
At school, when I was nine and Tom was seven years old, I saw him throw something in a ugly in my year. The bandit started to chase Tom, and I was terrified of what would happen. But Tom fixed him with such a powerful glare - a standoff - he left one Tom. I later learned that Tom had been provoked by the boy, and I have never forgotten how brave he was. Then, I knew he could handle himself. Of course it bothered me that Tom was teasing - it was small, Chilean - looking, a little different. It came out at 12, which is young but of how uncomfortable and honest testimony that it was always on himself. He said: "If they do not like me, it is their problem."
Tom is not judge, criticize or interfere in the lives of others, and when I told him is very good to talk to-on starting a business, it could not have been more favourable. "You'll regret it if you do not," he said.
Tom probably thinks that I should start arranging to meet. I always look forward to go back home, because it still - lives there is such treatment to catch up and laugh together.
I always knew that I was adopted, but it was not the underlying idea in my teens. If anything, I felt like the cute baby of the family, not one adopted. Charlie is my older brother irresistibly cool into the stuff boyish like football, rugby and activity, while my interests have always felt a bit geekier: comics, science, gardening, etc. I used to be hyperactive - ADHD borderline, I guess - and it was probably difficult to be around me. Especially as a brother.
Growing up, I loved doing things and going on little walks by myself, but since we have over our interests have overlapped. I started kayaking and Charlie has just launched a business selling furniture from the 20th century - which is creative. In addition, he enjoys now three hours of hiking in the country.
Once Charlie and I used rope and flower pots to create a system of pulleys. It has taken its place very high in a tree, I stood below, and we passed messages to each other all afternoon.
I have experienced bullying at the school, where I was not particularly vocal everything, and when he has bad Charlie wanted to do something. He told me recently that he had informed his rugby team to a potential intervention and she agreed to help me. It never came to that.
Part of the reason why we work so well as brothers because there has never been any rivalry. Charlie has never been "middle-child syndrome". He is kind and magnet and one of the few people who really understands me. I am a quiet person and tend to procrastinate. It will come to the House of our parents, where I live and say: "stand up and do something!" We are two patients, something we have inherited from our father, but you can tell that he is trying to be patient while biting his tongue.
If you like unique vintage furniture, visit the brand new website of mar - Charlie den.co.uk
Contact Tom on gardening, go to Tom the gardener
If you want to see appear in this column, email meandyou@observer.co.uk
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