prodigalwatcher | [theatrical_muse] 276

276 - Are you an only child? Write about your siblings or lack thereof.

There were no other children in the Wyndam-Pryce household. In fact, I suppose if I were in a particularly melancholy mood, I might characterise my upbringing as there having been no children at all in that household. From my earliest memories, Father was insistent that I learn responsibility and the absolute supremacy of duty an honour above all things. I had a family name to protect and to do proud, and he was damned if I was going to become a man who did anything but.

From time to time when I was young, I did imagine that it might be a fine thing to have an older brother. I didn't only wish for a play companion, but for a mentor who could understand what I was going through and guide me through my more difficult times. An older brother, I believed, would know how best to be the kind of son that Father would value.

I suppose part of me wondered if having a sibling would also mean that when Father's ire was descending, it would be at least somewhat divided.

Having been around other individuals with elder siblings, especially those with older brothers and sisters involved in the same pursuits as the younger, I sometimes find myself glad I did not have one. So many of them found troubles with following in the footsteps of exceptional older siblings, standing in their shadows.

I had enough trouble for myself without having someone standing before me and setting an even more difficult example to emulate.

It's unclear whether the particulars of my sibling-free upbringing have contributed to my current personality and behaviours the way other influences have, although I do think it's an interesting question.

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