My boys are very close in age. There are 18 months between my first and second sons and 21 months between my second and third. Yeahhhhhh, tell me about it.
It wasn’t always easy, especially when I was a single mom, but it was never dull. In fact, I’d argue it was a little overly stimulating at times. As an only child, I can only imagine what’s it’s like to have siblings in the first place, much less ones so close in age.
From the time they could understand speech, I talked to them about the importance of sticking together so they’d always have each other. When they got older I’d gently point out that their dad and I wouldn’t be around forever, so it was important for them to resolve any issues between them and to be there for each other.
Over the years, they fought like siblings do but always had each other’s backs when it counted. They grew so protective of each other they’d even take issue with me if they thought I wronged a brother. Not ideal of course, but I appreciate the sentiment.
I can’t imagine the profound loss my sons feel over losing Christopher. They did everything together and were in constant contact with each other, even when work took my oldest out of state. They are so close in age that they almost had the bond that triplets have.
Christopher broke up the band. They were together through the good and the bad for 18 hard-fought years. His brothers will need to learn a new normal and how to be siblings, minus one. My heart breaks for them.