Madison Ho Week 2: Does Being the Youngest Suck?
Madison Ho Week 2: Does Being the Youngest Suck? - 09/09 [9:33PM]
Being the youngest sucks, or at least, that’s the sentiment I’ve heard plenty of times before. Even I have to concede that I, too, have complained about being the baby of the family. But in my defense, that was years ago, and if I could go back a decade from now, I would have brainwashed that version of me until she understood the error of her ways.
This is all to say that I love my sisters, and as much as the eight year old me would’ve hated to admit it, they’re the older ones for a reason. Naturally, we started out rocky as most siblings do—with hair violently torn out of scalps out over a disputed seat at the dining table. But let me tell you, maturing is a beautiful thing.
Now, imagine this: ebony hair, wispy bangs, an oval-shaped head, and an almost uncanny resemblance to my mother. That would be my eldest sister, Megan, who recently returned home since she graduated from UC Riverside earlier this summer. She’s a self-proclaimed geek, and is entirely responsible for introducing my thumb-sucking, tantrum-throwing preschooler self to the realm of video games and anime. Beyond that, her unquenchable thirst for knowledge is absolutely terrifying. No matter how obscure a question or scenario you present to her, she will find an answer. And as a result of her inquiring mind possessing her to go on lengthy deep dives into the rabbit hole of niche internet information, she has practically become the human equivalent of an encyclopedia.
Now, humor me once more, and try to imagine this: burnt blonde locks cascading over tan shoulders, DIY French tips that clack delectably against countertop surfaces, and chestnut eyes that curve into amused crescents at the smallest things. You got that? Well, congratulations, you just envisioned my other sister, Melody.
I mean this in the kindest way possible, but she is DEMONIC!!! She shops until she drops, and I mean that literally. Right now, she’s in Korea studying abroad for business, having the absolute time of her life while dropping hundreds by the day. She’s business savvy and knows how to get her way. Seriously, if you were to peruse a dictionary, a huge picture of her would be slapped right underneath the definition of "self-sufficient."
Safe to say, my sisters are vastly different from me, whether it be in age or hobbies. Despite this glaring fact, they care about me deeply. When they drag me to the doctors for a potential diagnosis of PCOS, it’s out of concern for my wellbeing; when they take me to cafes, it’s to ensure that I’m in an environment that enables me to work; and when they fix up ramen in the middle of the night, it’s an invitation to talk about our lives over the familiar, stinging sensation of spice on our tongues.
So, does being the youngest suck? Well, that varies from person to person. But for me? Well, I’d beg to differ.
Photo Credits: Image Taken from my Personal Gallery
Hey Madison! Your analysis on the trope of the “youngest” really breaks down typical TV stereotypes like how being the youngest either sucks or is the greatest thing in the world.You know, I will forever be grateful that your eldest sister introduced you to anime and video games—now we can be geeks together! Describing your eldest sister as a “human encyclopedia" tells me a lot about her, no wonder she got into UC Riverside! She must be very smart. You tend to picture your sisters in a lovely way, mainly focusing on their hair. And honestly? It works really well! The vision you have painted deepens the fact that you are all related, even without a photo of your sisters side-by-side. Also, I’m totally jealous that your sisters drag you to cafes! I only ever get to experience that in my hometown because all the drinks in California are outrageously expensive. Anyways, after getting through your rough-patched early years with your sisters, the bond you have with them now seems very irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteWow, I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be the youngest. I say that because I’m the oldest child—not only in my immediate family, but my entire family. You might think that this puts a lot of pressure on me, but I can’t say I feel like that. You seem to know your sisters really well; you describe them with such detail! The age gap between me and my sister is quite large—8 years, to be specific. Right now, I can totally relate to the “rocky” start you had with your sisters; for me, it’s constant screaming and crying and whatnot. I love how you went from pulling out each other’s hair to having those late night talks over ramen—maturing really is amazing. I think it’s really sweet how you spend so much time with them; you guys seem inseparable when together.
ReplyDeleteSame as Sai, I’m the oldest child in my immediate family, so I have basically no clue what it’s like to be the youngest child! If my calculations are correct, I have two siblings, 13 and 10, and if my calculations are correct, I believe that we have the same—or at least a similar—age gap (my 6 years vs. your 6 or 5 years). The way that you decided to introduce your sisters with their physical characteristics first was a distinct choice, creating a scaffold to describe their personalities after. I loved the way that you didn’t “2D-ify” your sisters, allowing their personality to shine through your writing. Circling back to earlier, reading this as the oldest child, I guess I never saw how my advice could be interpreted as nagging rather than being helpful, which is probably something I need to work on.
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