by Jacoby Garber, Class of 2023

Siblings are our partners and rivals, our first friends, and our first enemies

– Erica Goldblatt Hyatt

It is only our siblings who truly understand us. It was always my siblings who knew what I was going through and was there for me. There are only a couple times during the school year that they visit. But that word family keeps us connected. Just one phone call to each other that makes our day. We fill in each other on our lives. It makes us feel more in the loop. We then feel we are not so far away from each other. It’s even better when we see each other in person…

It was the end of December, and we were celebrating Hanukkah. All three of my siblings were let off for Hanukkah break. They were coming home to our family house in Bedford, Ma. I was so glad that I could celebrate the festival of lights with my best friends.

    After their long flight they were in my presence. Of Course as soon as the door opened we were giving tight hugs. At that moment all I could think was “I am with my family.” Nothing else was on my mind. We proceeded to have an amazing dinner and talked about recent events that happened in our separate lives. We then put on our Kippahs and said a prayer while the youngest, me, lit the candles. The fireplace was going, while we opened our presents. The crackles, flame, and smoke just always reminds of the best family times.

    It didn’t matter that my sibling and I were far apart from each other. It didn’t matter that we had to video call to see each other. It mattered that we will always have this connection between each of us. We will always be together in the roughest times. We adapted to one another. It truly matters when we’re back in one room together.

    We are not just siblings, but also best friends. Blood is always thicker than water.