I have two younger brothers who are really half-brothers but I never think of them that way. They are also cousins since my father married one of my mum's younger sisters a few years after she died (when I was a toddler). One brother is 6 years younger and the other 14+ years younger. I helped to raise my youngest brother when he was a baby and I think he regarded me as a second mum. I left home when he was only four and I'll never forget suddenly realizing the impact of my leaving home when he was so young and we had been so close. I was really keen to leave and enjoying packing up my things when I looked up and saw him in the bedroom doorway, watching me. The expression on his face really tore into my heart. I gave him my alarm clock and told him to keep it for me so I could borrow it back any time I visited. He took it from me and hugged it as though it was precious. I emigrated to the U.S. 30 years ago when he was about 13, and I've seen him once since then. Both my brothers are happily married and each have two children. I'll never be a grandmother, but I am so looking forward to being a great-aunt one day. It's like a license to be eccentric!