I know from experience how it is to be one of three sibs. When you're really little you all get along. Once the oldest hits middle school the younger two become idiots and a nuisance. When the oldest gets their license they have their escape...just borrow the car to get away.
TJ graduated high school with great grades and began at Georgia State University. Unfortunately he also joined a Frat. His Big Brother got to select his Halloween costume that year.
Not a good idea.
Then he decided to take a semester off and work...Terrible idea.
He worked full time and made a little money but told him if he didn't get back in school that's exactly what he'd still be doing when he was my age...making a little money.
Then he met girl. Then they moved in together. Even a worse idea.
Then they bought a puppy together named Charlie, who cost more than a used car. Horrible idea.
Then they broke up and TJ moved back home with Charlie in tow. TJ won the nasty custody battle and Charlie became a Cotton.
Let me tell you, an English Bulldog and an Old English Bulldog /Boxer mix aren't great friends right off the bat when they are both male and still have their nuts. They can DRIVE you nuts! We had many a dog fight. Ham was docile but Charlie was a brat who had been spoiled by his mama and daddy, never been around other dogs and certainly never learned the word 'share' or 'play nice.' Ham outweighed him by twenty pounds and towered over him but Charlie was "The Man" in his own tiny mind and got his butt whooped again and again and again and was always ready for more. We went through tube after tube of antibiotic cream and bottles of hydrogen peroxide trying to heal Charlie's face . Tim gave him the nick name, Scarface.
Then TJ moved out again and ole Chucky stayed. At least he had a huge yard and another dog to play with.
We kinda nudged TJ out that last time. It was when we were in a desperate position and it was time for him to stand on his own.
He did it! He survived, he got a pretty good job which led to an even better job and most probably made more money than me.
Here's the thing. When sibs are together all the time they sometimes bicker and fight. Split them up and they become closer and closer and closer. The time they DO get to spend together seems important. The time they are away from each other just gives them more to talk about when they do meet up.
My three have come full circle. They were close, then they weren't. Then two got close and the other was on the outside. Then it switched the other way.
Now TJ is leaving for the land down under in ten days and all three are thick as thieves. They sit for hours talking. They watch movies together, they go out to eat together, they do nothing together.
They are simply being together and enjoying it.
That's the kind of thing that makes a momma proud. That's the kinda thing that makes working crazy hours tolerable. That's the kind of thing that tells me they were all listening to my constant lectures when they were young, even though they were all rolling their eyes like I didn't see them.
I may not have raised rocket scientists but I raised three good kids. They all love each other and in today's society that's quite an accomplishment.
They are all three smart and loving. They all three care about other and this earth. They all three have the ability to do amazing things.
My money is on my kids. Granted I don't have any money, but if that was the price to pay for having three amazing young adults all under my roof one last time and not only witness but feel the love between them all...I'd do it again in a heartbeat
We'll take care of Charlie while TJ does what what I wish I had done when single and in my twenties.
Go see the world.
College isn't for everyone but world is! He's smart and good looking. He has a great heart, works hard and has my blessings. I have full confidence in TJ. Go Gettum Kid!!
One down two to go!!
Til next time...COTTON
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