When I was in 5th grade, at the mere age of 10, my mother left me alone at home with my 4 siblings to go to divorce court. To her dismay the babysitter cancelled at last minute. I remember her crying and asking herself what she was going to do. She had no help to watch me and my four younger siblings and she needed to attend court. It made me sad to see her so upset, feeling so helpless. Without hesitation I put my arm around her and said, “Don’t worry mom. I can take care of them.” Being the oldest, naturally I had to step it up and take charge. It was not just one child to watch over. My brother Louie, my brother Solly, and my brother Ernie were by far the hardest to manage. They would always be up to something. Ernie, who was the baby and
