When Anaïs was born, my heart seemed to double in size, just as it had when Isabel was born, and again when Leo arrived into our lives… and just as it had when I met J. Yet I remember feeling something so terrifically special and unique about the bond that was so visible between Isabel & Anaïs… a unique bond between two sisters. It existed even before Anaïs was born, while she ‘baked’ in my belly and Isabel spoke of her little sister with such confidence (every one else believed it would be a boy… and we had not found out prior to her arrival). Isabel was right, and she took on her role as big sister immediately… and as Anaïs grew the love between them was so tangible, so genuine…

While not to be taken for granted, I almost expected the power of the bond that is shared between sisters… I connection I had read about, heard people talk about, and often wished I had in my own life as I craved for brothers and sisters of my own. After Leo was born, I often reflected that it would be good to have one more child so that he too could have that special connection with a younger sibling of his own.
Yet what has been most amazing for me to watch is the relationship that has developed between Leo & Anaïs. The two are not only inseparable, they seem united in a way that I never imagined. Anaïs comes into her own as a big sister. We have always told her how very, very special she is as she gets to be BOTH a big sister and a little sister… and she takes both roles with great responsibility. She admires and adores her big sister, and the two play, talk and giggle for hours. Her affection for her little brother is just as profound, and she engages with him with such tenderness, kindness and patience. She eagerly helps him put puzzles together and build blocks. She will consistently do whatever it takes to make him giggle. And their most favourite activity… reading. No doubt inspired by Isabel’s propensity for the skill, these two have followed suit, perhaps not in actually interpreting the letters into words… but in using their imagination to sit cuddled together on the couch as Anaïs ‘reads out’ the stories of book after book to Leo.

When it’s just me and the kids, and it’s time for me to prepare a meal/snack (which seems to be almost ALL the time), Anaïs will say: “Mama, I’ll distract Leo.” Then she turns to her little brother and invites: “Leo, come to the couch with Anaïs. I will read you some books.” The two curl up together; and all I want to do is watch them, rather than engage with the chores at hand…

Holding Hands, by Suzie Huitt
Brother and sister
Together as friends,
Ready to face
Whatever life sends.
Joy and laughter
Or tears and strife,
Holding hands tightly
As we dance through life.