GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE
SHARON ALAINA STEPHEN
Fitness trainer, Taekwondo instructor, free babysitter and former Catholic priest, 34, from Kuala Lumpur.
“MY family consists of three children. My dad always says he has ONE DAUGHTER, that’s me the eldest; ONE SON, Shaun (a proud heir to the non-existent throne of the Stephens and father to a cute Creature); and ONE BABY because Sharyl will always be known as the baby in the family even though this ‘baby’ is a 30-year-old who recently became a mother to a handsome Smurf (yes, I give nicknames to both my nephews because I get their names all mixed up!)
Growing up, my siblings and I were very close. Despite the two-year age gap between us, I clearly recall how I used to bully and manipulate my younger siblings into doing things that I secretly liked to do but preferred not to, for fear of getting scolded or punished! Then of course, there were those other fun times when we’d pool in our efforts and creative energy to build castles and trains out of cardboard boxes.
Having been raised Catholics, we’d celebrate (or rather, perform) Catholic masses at home. As the eldest, I got dibs on becoming the ‘priest’ (because I knew the prayers by heart) and got to decide whose sins were ‘forgiven’ or otherwise! When night fell and we were packed off to bed, we’d wait until the lights were out and the coast was clear. Then, we’d whip out our torchlights and more games followed. There’d be circus shows, shadow plays and even martial arts tournaments which would ultimately end with my youngest sister in tears!
As we grew older, it became clear that we’ve come from a long glorious bloodline of great dancers. We organised our very own ‘professional’ dance group called Trinity and you’d find the Stephen siblings performing at every family wedding. Of course, there was definitely a special ‘family’ dance performed for both of my siblings’ weddings!
What annoys me about my siblings is the fact that they’re now too smart to believe anything I tell them. Gone are the days of manipulation and CONvincing. To be honest, I don’t get annoyed much because they’re really great siblings and they’ve been there for me through both my happiest and most challenging times. In exchange, I do the dishes on family dinner nights and I babysit their kids for FREE.
Our favourite sibling activity is definitely us teaching Taekwondo classes together — all three of us are black belt holders — during the weekends to schoolchildren. Then the pandemic happened and that activity is now on hiatus. We look forward to the day when we’re finally able to physically teach children once again.
Dear ‘Baldbird’ and ‘Baby’,
Thank you for giving me the gift of friendship and love. I may not have wanted you to exist when I was little but I thank my lucky stars every day that I have the both of you as my siblings.
You’ve also expanded our little family with my two other ‘siblings’ — your partners, Mei Yee and Adam! I don’t say it often enough but I do love you all and I look forward to more laughter and fun in the years to come.”
WONDERFUL MEMORIES TUNKU HALIM TUNKU ABDULLAH
Author, Malaysian ‘Prince of Darkness’ and minimalist champion, 56, from Negri Sembilan.
“HOW many brothers and sisters do you have?” I often smile at that question. To keep things simple I just say, “I have two older brothers.” Then we can move on to other topics. Perhaps we can talk about my writing and the Midnight’s Children trilogy I’ve just published.
But if I want to impress, I’ll say, “But I have two brothers and a sister through my father’s first marriage. My eldest brother is in his 70s.” I watch to see if there’s a reaction. As I’m in my mid-50s, this might not be so interesting. I might get a polite nod and a smile.
So I’ll then say, “My youngest brother and sister are twins. They’re from my father’s last marriage. The twins are both 20.” Now the eyebrows are raised. “Really. Wow!”
“Yes,” I’ll continue. “More than 50 years difference in age, from oldest to youngest.”
They’re impressed and will want to know all about my father. I immediately guide them to the bookshop to purchase A Prince
Called Charlie. Well, actually no, because there are so few bookshops around these days. So I’ll just give them a brief summary.
“Amazing!” is usually the response. “What a character. What an interesting life!”
I nod and smile. People who know my family are often surprised by how well we all get on. They’re aware of other families where the siblings argue and even sue each other.
“My father wanted us to be close,” I’ll say. “He made Monday nights family dinner night. We’d meet up every week at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.” Now that my father has passed away, we siblings still catch up but not as often. When we do, we always have a good time.
I never mention what my two elder brothers and I got up to as kids. They were an excellent influence on me, as a 6-yearold. We played soccer indoors, broke things and got into all kinds of trouble. They taught me how to get into stone throwing fights with the local boys and how to throw water bombs at people waiting at bus stops! Wonderful memories.
All my siblings are different but one thing that most of them don’t really do is read fiction. If they did, they might discover they’re not in my stories. Actually, they are ... just don’t tell them!”