"Only Child" by Taylor Coulombe (Aroostook County Winner)
In the middle of a quiet neighborhood, I spent my childhood as only one. The walls of my home echoed not with sibling banter but with the solitude that encircled me. While the outside world saw a tranquil home basking in the sun, within those closed doors, my world was a canvas painted in the hues of emptiness.
Growing up without siblings meant that every beam of my parents' attention landed solely on me. An aspect that brought both the gift of undivided attention and the responsibility of being their sole focus. There were no siblings to share secrets with or engage in the playful disputes that often transformed into lifelong bonds, or so I have heard. Instead, my companionship emerged from the characters within my books, my dolls, and the worlds I could immerse myself in when the silence of my room became too great.
As an only child, I learned to navigate the terrain of independence early on. I discovered the art of entertaining myself and finding joy in my own company. The absence of siblings provided me with the space to explore my interests without external influences, leading to a strong sense of self that would guide me through life.
Yet, there were moments when the weight of solitude felt tangible. Family gatherings became both a delight and a reminder of the companionship I yearned for but never experienced within the walls of my home. I was a silent onlooker in a world of others’ shared memories as cousins' laughter echoed in the background.
Friendships held a special place in my life. With no siblings to share secrets with, my friends became the siblings of my heart. The bonds I formed with friends were like constellations in my universe, each one contributing to the beauty of my night sky.
As I stepped into adolescence, the dynamics of my family took on a different hue. The absence of sibling rivalry meant a harmonious household, yet the silence sometimes felt deafening. My parents, attuned to my every need, became not just caregivers but confidants. The dinner table conversations delved into the intricacies of my day, my dreams, and my aspirations.
In the foundation of my life, I found strength in my loneliness. The moments of thought, the quiet afternoons spent reading because there was no one else in the house, and the late-night conversations with friends on the phone. All were threads that wove together the story of my life. My journey was marked by a unique blend of independence, creativity, and an unwavering sense of self.
As I embrace adulthood, I carry with me the lessons of my single childhood. The seclusion that had previously seemed like an endless sea of isolation became a source of power. The independence I formed blossomed into a spirit of self-reliance, and the friendships I nurtured became pillars of support. I, the only child in a world of many, learned to dance to the rhythm of my own symphony and find beauty in the uniqueness of my story.
I harbor no resentment towards my parents for raising me as an only child. That was not my choice. It was my choice instead to be at peace with my parents and embrace the fact of being an only child. I will be forever happy with my choice.
Taylor Coulombe, of Wallagrass, is a junior at Fort Kent Community School. She wrote about being an only child solely because most do not understand how it feels. She enjoys reading and writing, but family also means a lot to her.