Being a middle child... [Ladies Of HIVE Community Contest #84]

Hello Ladieeesss! I am a middle child. As we all know, middle children are often overlooked and neglected by their parents. They're not as cute or charming as the firstborn, nor are they as rebellious or interesting as the youngest. This can leave them feeling like there's something wrong with them.

But I've always been a confident person. As a middle child, I've had to learn how to stand out and be heard. My parents were busy raising three other kids, after all. But even if I didn't get the attention I needed at home, I made sure to find it elsewhere.

My parents loved music. They played instruments, sang together, and listened to everything from classical to rock. It was no surprise that I took up an instrument myself when I grew older. In fact, it's what I do now—I play piano professionally. When I was younger, though, I didn't have much opportunity to show off my skills.

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I started playing the violin at age four, but I never really got good enough to play in front of people. Then my family decided to move across the country. That meant I'd need to start over in a new school. Luckily, I found some friends who were also interested in music.

When I was born, my father was forty-three years old and my mother was thirty-six. They'd had one daughter before me. My sister Tanya was 5 years older than me. She was very sweet and generous. My parents adored her, which meant that she was spoiled rotten. I wasn't jealous of her; I was envious.

My parents tried to give us equal amounts of attention, but my sister got most of it. Sometimes I felt like she was more important to them than I was. Of course, I knew that was ridiculous. After all, I was their second child. Still, I couldn't help but feel left out.

I didn't think it would make a difference, but I told my parents that I wanted to take ballet lessons, too. I didn't expect them to say yes, but they surprised me. My father said he'd pay for both of us to take classes.

I was thrilled. I practiced every day, and eventually I became pretty good. I even performed in front of my parents. The audience clapped and cheered, and I felt like I was finally part of the family. I was no longer a forgotten child.

Of course, I still envied my sister. She was beautiful, smart, talented, and popular. Her life seemed perfect. I hoped she'd notice me, but she never did. I guess she thought I was a nuisance.

One day, when I was fourteen, I overheard my parents talking about my sister. They were saying that she was getting married soon, and I was starting to panic. Would I ever be as successful as she was? What if I ended up a lonely spinster, living alone in an apartment somewhere?

Then I realized that I could change my fate. I went to the library and checked out a book called How to Be Popular. Inside, I learned how to dress and act like a celebrity. I changed my hairstyle, wore makeup, and read fashion magazines. Soon I was known around school as "the girl who looks like a model."

Suddenly, everyone wanted to talk to me. I was popular, and it felt great. I stopped envying my sister and began to see her as a role model. She inspired me to work hard, and I saw myself as a lot like her.

A few years later, my sister got married and moved away. I was sad to see her go, but I was also relieved. I didn't want to compete with my sister anymore. Now I had more time to devote to my own career.

The best part about being a middle child is that I don't feel like I have to prove anything. My parents already love me, and my siblings aren't going anywhere. I can be myself without worrying about fitting into any mold. And that means I have more time to focus on my hobbies and passions.

It's not easy to be the middle child, but it has its perks. If you want to be successful, just remember: You might be ignored sometimes, but you're never invisible.

I hope you enjoyed my story. Thanks again for having me here today!