Corona in the City: Standing Together Against All Odds
Day 49 — If there is something constant in my life, that’s my three siblings. My two older sisters are two and four years apart from me, respectively. My younger brother is 12 years apart.
I still remember the day my mother announced to us that we will get a new addition to the family. I would finally have a brother — albeit a young one — that will bring some balance to our female-dominated household. As adults now, our relationship is defined by two things: our children (the new generation as we call it) and our solidarity with one another, particularly when shit hits the fan. While we had lot of those situations throughout our family history — including the current COVID-19 global outbreak — what’s remarkable is that we’re still standing together strong.
My relationship with my younger brother has evolved from protector, to mentor to disciple. I protected and cared for him when he was toddler and a kid. I mentored him when he was a teenager, particularly as he faced career choices for his future. And I became his disciple when as a young adult — and as a successful entrepreneur — he impressed me with his wisdom, confidence and resilience. I could have never anticipated this evolution as I saw him growing up.
His constant rebellion (from music to values to friends) and carelessness drove my parents…
