A Mom and More

Today, my youngest sibling and only brother, Arthur, celebrates his birthday. I can still remember how my two sisters and I eagerly prepared for his grand entrance in our home and looked forward to taking turns carrying Arthur in our arms when he came from the hospital. Arthur was healthy, strong and big unlike most frail infants fresh from the hospital’s nursery; Arthur was born a cute well-developed 9-pounder.

Arthur was a high-risk for mommy since it was already her fourth pregnancy, with all of us (three girls) born through Cesarean operations. Finally having a son is a dream come true, an ardent prayer answered for mom and dad!

Arthur was named after King Arthur (remember?) who ruled England and who together with his semi-fictional Knights of the Round Table protected England with his magical sword called Excalibur. The Round Table, in his castle Camelot, was not only a physical table, but the highest Order of Chivalry at the Court of King Arthur with members supposedly from the cream of the British military who followed a strict code of honor and service, as: to never outrage nor murder; to flee treason; to give mercy to those in need; to honor and help ladies, gentlewomen and widows and not to take up battles for love or worldly goods.

Arthur grew up enthroned at home. He was the center of everyone’s attention not only because he was the youngest but because he was our only boy. What a big difference it was for mommy to care for a boy after three girls; she had to get used to hearing bangs, cracks, shouts and shrills as Arthur started crawling, walking, running, climbing, jumping and tumbling all over the house. Daddy was contented — he already had a son to carry on his family’s name. I and my sisters delightfully gave way for Arthur’s his new toys, like: cars, guns, swords, balls, live animals (fishes, chickens, pigeons, cats, a turkey), spiders and bugs.

Perhaps because he grew up in an all-girls’ home, Arthur developed a boyish charm uniquely his own which till now makes relating with him as a son, a brother, a husband, a dad, a classmate, friend and business associate – light, pleasant and easy. His charisma made him a perfect fit as a marketing partner for our youngest sister Arlene’s export firm. To date, Arthur remains our baby (a TV interviewer for a business talk show was even shocked when Arlene referred to her assistant as her “baby brother”), our angel brother and our T-tart for sweetheart (as another sis Annie fondly calls him).

Psychologists often describe youngest children as: charming and affectionate, creative, outgoing and fun to be with; attention-seeking, competitive; indulged, dependent, spoiled and self-centered; laid-back, tenacious, absent-minded and flaky – seemingly an over generalization as far as Arthur is.

Far from being the stereotyped youngest child, Arthur has shown a noble character a la King Arthur and his knights. He has helped me out in countless ways: as a protective uncle to my kids, as a great supporter and believer in my pursuits and as a cheerleader in my struggle for business recovery.

Cheers and long live my King brother!