I'm Not Special, I'm A Twin

People often ask, "So how does it feel to be a Twin?".  When I was younger, I'd give a sarcastic answer; "What's it like to be you?" Or if it was a female asking I'd remark, "What's it like being a girl?".  I didn't really see any difference.  I mean, when I look in the mirror I see ME, when I look at my Twin brother Angel, I see HIM.  Perhaps it would have felt "special" had Angel and I shared the "Gift" of telepathy that twins reportedly have, or projected sensations; "If I punch you in the arm will your twin feel it too?".  No such thing.  I don't believe that exists anymore for twins as it does for any other person.  The "Gift" Angel and I were blessed with was best pointed out to me by my brother himself.  It was during a particularly low time in my life and I had privately been feeling sorry for myself.  Angel visited me with a six-pack of MGD and some arm-chair wisdom.  To cheer me up, he pointed out that we had much to be thankful for. "Bro" he said, "You and I are so damn lucky to have been born twins.  I mean, we didn't do anything to deserve it but, by merely being born together we garnered all the attention growing up".  He was right.  We have two sisters that are every bit as deserving of any accolade or compliment as my brother and I yet, we were almost always met with attention and adoration by family, friends, and strangers.  What that does for the self esteem and sense of identity of any child is invaluable.  No, Angel and I did not merit extra attention but we got it.  I have not taken this for granted since.  Nevertheless, it took inebriated wisdom to make me realize that, perhaps, much of what makes Twins special is how they are perceived to BE special.  Sure, the fact that an egg will split and two separate individuals will develop in the same womb is miraculous but, is not procreation itself a miracle?  One might say I contradict myself.  Previously I stated I do not take our "Twin-dom" for granted, yet I follow it by discounting the Miracle of it.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  My Twin Brother, Angel eloquently illustrated an age-old adage, "Count your blessings", to me in a way that was unique to OUR situation and ANY sibling should appreciate the gesture.  It was the fact that he KNEW I needed it at that particular time in my life that makes it special.

Jose Hernandez Jr

Better half of  "Twin Talk with Jose & Angel" Radio Show
on www.twintalkcast.com

Twitter: @josejr67
            @twintalkshow