Although it pains me, I disagree with you :) Luck. Luck. Luck.
One event fixed the issue forever, in my mind.
My mother had twins. The first child, my next to oldest brother, had a smooth delivery. The second did not. Something about forceps and oxygen deprivation. Coming out second was not 'lucky'. That second twin spent his life in a crib as a paraplegic. He couldn't talk, or chew, or swallow easily. I was certain that he recognized us, but that was it.
It wasn't lucky that you were born to alcoholic parents. It wasn't lucky that my brother was disabled. That's life. The part that isn't controlled by luck is what we do about it.
It does pain me to disagree with you, but there it is :)
Disagree with me? But, but .. what about my line about random events and being born into advantageous situations? Please, you can't disagree with me. I'm going to have to rewrite the whole thing:)
You're right:
I focused on the other part:
Maybe I disagree with the "for the most part" bit. 😇 I saw too much too early to accept that. Ready for another?
My oldest brother was stricken with rheumatic fever when he was very young. We don't know when it started, but when he was eight he was given the last rites and doctors refused to treat him. He was taken out of that hospital and transferred to a heart center. There they used experimental therapies on him. He spent a year in the hospital and the rest of his adolescence convalescing. That man grew up to be a father, a grandfather and a wealthy businessman. So, in his case, we're both right. He lost his childhood and suffered much, but that didn't stop him. As an adult, he made his own luck.
Ok, no more...please. I've come right around to your way of thinking:)
But seriously, your poor mother. It's incredible how she coped.
My step-brother was removed from the home when he was around 12, put in a mental hospital and given shock treatment, as recalcitrant children were in those days. He spent his entire adult life as my dependent until thankfully, he got his old age pension in September. I must say, fair play to your brother!
😦
No wonder I feel I know you
To know me is to love me!:)
That happens to be absolutely true 🌷