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As soon as I knew I’d be paying a visit to the Goddess Blogs, I knew exactly what story I needed to tell.
Turns out, I’m an actual goddess.
Yep. Seriously. Check this out!
I was in San Francisco a few years back for the Romance Writers of America (RWA) national convention. My sister Melanie was with me. Now Melanie and I come from a family of seven children. More specifically, seven girls.
Uh huh. All seven of us are female. No brothers. Not a one.
Melanie is #6 and I just happen to be #7. We got into a cab with a super cool new-agey lady cab driver—the kind I’ve only ever met in San Francisco btw, but I digress—the cabby started asking Mel and I where we’re from, etc. We told her and somehow it came up that we were from such a large clan. Well, when the cabby found out I was #7 of all girls, she said to me, “You know, you’d be worshipped as a goddess in some cultures?”
Me: What? What! What?!
She went on to explain that there are, in fact, groups of people who worship the seventh daughter of seven daughters. Did I know about that?
Me: No, San Fran cab driver, I did not know any such thing!
So, I turned to sister #6 sitting next to me and said, “Are you hearing this? I’m a goddess!”
And my loving sister serenely nodded and replied, ”Yep. I knew that.”
And I’m all, “Are you freakin’ kidding me? You knew I was a goddess my whole life and you never told me?”
She was a bit too casual if you ask me. 
So of course when I returned back home I did a bit o’ research in an effort to discover the nature and origin of my goddess-like powers. Apparently, the seventh daughter means lucky and supreme with the reasoning being: There were seven planets in ancient astronomy, the world was created in seven days, each of the four phases of the moon lasts for seven days, seven notes on the musical scale, seven colors in the rainbow, seven is the number of wisdom, truth and harmony.
Hmm. Sounds right to me.
I also learned that if I lived in Brazil, the seventh daughter supposedly becomes a witch. Appropriate for Halloween, no? And Portugal has an entire set of folklore wrapped around the seventh child. In fact, Professor Francisco Gentil Vaz da Silva, a scholar from the University of Lisbon, has done an entire study on ethnography and folklore, resulting in a lecture entitled Seventh-Born Children in Iberian Folktales: Mythism and Everyday Life. There’s a lot in his lecture to be worried about including my association with the dead and who my godparents are, but I’m choosing to ignore all of that.
I even found one poster on the internet who cautioned me and other powerful seventh children to use our powers for good and make the most of them. I certainly would if I knew exactly what they are.
Apparently, if I had seven daughters of my own, my #7 would be especially powerful. She would possess the supernatural power of second sight. Unfortunately, I have no children, let alone seven, let alone seven girls, so the odds of me producing a super powerful goddess are quite low but after discovering my goddess-ness I have made a concerted effort to convince my friend and fam that I am a real live goddess and should be treated as such.
Admittedly, that’s not going so well. My dog is especially unimpressed. But I continue to forge ahead, goddess or not.
So, do I really believe all this? (shrug) I’m not sure. My mom—who is admittedly a bit hyperbolic—does claim that she ran into a psychic before I was born who told her she was meant to have one more child even though mom had been scheduled to go in for surgery to have her tubes tied. Yep, that didn’t happen.
But whether I’m a witch or a healer, here’s the good news. At least I’m not the seventh son of a seventh son. That guy apparently turns into a werewolf.
So, tell me, how many children are in your family? Boys and girls? Any other goddesses out there?
I am giving away TWO copies of Secrets of a Wedding Night to two lucky commenters on today’s blog! (US residents only, void where prohibited)
112 Comments on “An Actual Goddess!”
You can track this conversation through its atom feed.
I’m the youngest.
I’m also the only girl.
I have three older brothers…
…who teases me…
…who irritates me at times…
…who makes me mad…
…who does things that I can’t do…
…who have some good qualities…
…and some bad qualities…
…who are 1/3 married….
…and 2/3 not…
…and….
…they are my brothers.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:04 am.
OMGoodness. You just about wrote my response! Brothers… you love em so much you just want to kill them at times!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:40 am.
Ha! Loved your comment, E.R. Alas, I have no brothers so I have no idea what it’s like. Sisters get into a lot of fights over clothes when they’re teenagers though.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:49 am.
That’s one good thing about brothers. They can’t wear my clothes!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:29 pm.
Youngest of four, with the middle two being twins. The twins being born on July 4th no less.
My sister is older then me and I hear about it just about daily.
Welcome to the blog
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:29 am.
Thanks! I have a set of twins in my family too. Girls of course!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:50 am.
I am the baby. I have one older sister who is a leader and style-setter and all of those older sibling things. I am spoiled by everyone who knows me and I go where the wind takes me. We are true to our birth order.
Congratulations on the wonderful reviews of your book and I look forward to reading it!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:57 am.
Thanks so much, Liz!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:50 am.
I am the oldest of three with two younger brothers which trust me can make me quite bossy, opinionated and very protective. Oh wait I’m like that anyway. And even though they can annoy the heck out of me I love them. Welcome to St. Oly. Always nice to discover a new author.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:43 am.
Thanks, Aida!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:51 am.
I’m an only child so I don’t know how lucky or unlucky that is. My Mom comes from a family of five kids she the second oldest of three girls and two boys. My Dad is the oldest of three kids two boys and a girl. I haven’t done any research on where five kids or three kids fit in the goddess or the same with an only child. Oh well.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:50 am.
Stonehawk, I imagine being the only child is peaceful and quiet. : )
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:53 am.
I’ve lived in Brazil my whole life and the only legend about a 7th child I’ve heard is that it becomes a werewolf. Goddess? Pffft. WE’RE ON TO YOU!
}(it’s either the 7th child of the same sex, and another legend says if it’s the 8th son after seven daughters. They’re not really coherent! Or maybe that family would have two werewolves?). Never heard about a witch!
Anyway, my parents divorced when I was two, so, I’m the child of them both. Then I have a 20 year old sister, who’s my dad’s daughter, a 17 year old brother, who’s my mom’s son (they’re so cute, they call each other brother and sister and are listed as siblings on Facebook! My family is really close!), and a 1.3 year old sister from my dad’s third marriage, (Yes, ONE year and THREE months, my tiny little baby called Maya), who’s 23 years younger than me. I adore them all. Though, I’ve always wanted to have an older sister. And I’m SO jealous of you I kind of want to cry. SIX older sister? It must be the coolest thing ever.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 7:42 am.
Hi B,
Your family sounds big and happy. Wonderful! My oldest sister is 15 years old than I am so she took care of me a lot when I was a baby. I just adore her.
Am I supposed to be a werewolf then or is that only for boys?
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:56 am.
OMG, that sounds like THE COOLEST THING EVER! I’ve always dreamed of having a sister who was that much older than I am!!! Really, it seems like it would be the greatest family! It’s the kind I write about!!!
Also, yes, werewolves for both sexes! No prejudice there! Woof!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:40 am.
Welcome to Mt. Oly Valerie! We so love visitors – especially scary seventh daughter goddess visitors….
I am the fourth of six siblings. The two boys are the bookends around the 4 girls. I am a middle child and the oldest of the second of us kids (our parents had three right in a row then waited 6-years to start again).
I hope you enjoy the day with us and I can’t wait to read your book.
Happy Halloween All!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:04 am.
Thanks! I often wonder what it would be like to have a brother. My fiance is one of three boys and from his stories it sounds like it would have been rowdy!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:00 am.
Now, I knew you were brilliant but you’re a goddess to boot!
Since everyone else is talking about family placement, I have to think…nope. I’m not a goddess.
So I’ll settle for being queen of my household. Speaking of which, I need to don my crown.
Congratulations on your debut! It’s a fantastic book! I can’t wait for the sequel. (Neither can the teachers at my sons’ school.)
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:15 am.
Hi Mary! Thanks for stopping by!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:01 am.
Hi, Melanie! Great story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I’m an only child. Just me. Which made it difficult when I had two boys. They’d tussle and squable and fight and I’d say “Can’t you just get along?” Then both they and my husband (family of 3 boys) would laugh and laugh and laugh at me.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:18 am.
Thanks, Lori! Girls fight too but judging from the stories my fiance tells me about his brothers, I think it’s less crazy!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:02 am.
I’m the middle of 3. Both my parents were only children. Neither of them understood our squabbling.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:07 am.
In high school, my mom wrote in her slam book in response to the ? “how many children do you want?” “Three. One of each.” I’m the third, after one of each. (Ok, I’m the 2nd girl and the youngest)
I too am a goddess but only in Pittsburgh. My first time there was for work and for some reason everyone I interacted with treated me like visiting royalty, including the people I sat next to in the airport. It was FANTASTIC.
Welcome to the Mount, Valerie. You’re sure to enjoy it!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:19 am.
Thanks Freshechelle. You know I’ve never been to Pittsburgh? Sounds like I need to go!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:03 am.
Welcome Valerie!
There is only 2 in our family. My older sister and I are 5 years apart. She made me pay for being the youngest all the time when I was little. As we got older our house became a battle zone at times. Then I got big enough to fight back, and once she realized that, she left me alone. Now we are the best of friends and speak multiple times a day. I had my girls 5 years apart, but so far they get along better then my sister and I did. I hope that doesn’t change as they get older.
Happy Halloween Goddesses!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:25 am.
Hi Amy,
Melanie #6 tells me she tried to kill me by stealing my bottle. But I survived! We’re very close now too.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:06 am.
Hi Valerie!
WOW! 7 girls! I don’t know how your father survived all of those emotional hormonal outbursts.
I have an older brother almost 7 years older and an older sister 2 years older.
I’m close to my sister not so close to my brother. He went off to college when I was in 6th grade.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:43 am.
Hi Laurie,
My dad had to put in a second hot water heater so we could all take our showers in the morning. That much hair and grooming was very serious.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:07 am.
I am the oldest of seven kids. Two sisters and four (count ‘em!) four brothers. The youngest sibling is my brother and he isn’t a werewolf nor was he treated as a god! He was a real brat when we were growing up.
There are 14 years separating us. But know what? I wouldn’t trade any of them. I wouldn’t know what my life would be without them. Well, actually, I do as I was an only child for all of 18 months before my sister came along! 
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:46 am.
Hi Sue,
The oldest of 7 kids has a lot of responsibility. I bet you’re very organized and a leader!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:08 am.
Welcome aboard Goddess Valerie! Great story.
I am the fourth child, the youngest, and the only girl. I am not a Goddess, but a survivor. I believe my beautiful, kind, lovely brothers tried to kill me every way possible. One dropped me down the stairs when I was a baby, one used to sit on top of me and hold my nose and mouth shut at the same time to see how many shades of blue I would turn. So, the youngest and the only girl. Spoiled? I better be for all I had to endure!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:51 am.
Wow, Kelly, I cannot imagine. Melanie says she tried to kill me a few times when I was a baby but there was no dropping down the stairs. You ARE a survivor!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:09 am.
I am an only child. My husband has six brothers and sisters. He is the middle child. We have two sons born 28 months apart. After being married for 44 years, I discovered that being an only child isn’t bad.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:54 am.
I imagine it is, Sandi. A big issue in households full of kids is getting your own room. I didn’t get my own room until I was 7 or 8. I imagine you only children never have to worry about that.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:11 am.
Hi Valerie–great post! I also come from a large clan. I have two of each kind of sibling (I lead the pack in age), and we also have three step sisters. Family gatherings are loud and colorful!
If you’d like a brother, I have one to spare….
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:06 am.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:11 am.
I’m the third of three…mixed bag.
I may not be a goddess but I’m a freaking treasure I tell ya! I know because my mom used to tell me I was their little gift.
My brother and sister then would mutter things like “Yeah, you know like socks.” or “One with a no return policy”.
But I am magnanemous, they are not gifts. they could not understand my special nature. Even when I told them, repeatedly!
I went through my young life assured in this.
Until the day my mother informed me my cat had left a “gift” for me.
Funny, I didn’t even know a mom COULD get a hairball.
Welcome Valerie! Just one question…what happens when a 7th daughter of 7daughters marries a 7th son of a 7th son? Do they have weregoddesses?”
However, I now console myself in the fact I’m freaking adorable.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:09 am.
Ha, Pesky! Your post is so funny. And what a good question. Weregoddesses!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:12 am.
I am a first born daughter, I have a younger sister.
My dad was the 6th of 8 children (3 sisters, 5 brothers)
I was considered by my mother to be the good child. My fraternal grandmother thought of me as the worst (I am my mother’s daughter)
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:23 am.
Thanks for stopping by, Angela!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:39 pm.
I am the youngest, with an older sister and brother. I *may* have gotten away with murder as a child, especially when I figured out the power of fake tears
Yeah – there’s a reason I don’t have any kiddos of my own – lord knows they’d be just like me! *shudders*
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:32 am.
I’m with you, Erin! There’s a definite reason why I don’t have kids of my own. Though I am soon to be a stepmom to two adorable kids: one boy and one girl.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:40 pm.
Welcome to Mt. Oly, Valerie!
First of all, seven sisters? Seriously, SEVEN SISTERS? I had two, and I have a hard time imagining how we might all have fit into one house, into only one or two bathrooms…the mind boggles.
I am the youngest of three sisters, the third of four children. The youngest, my brother (his name is Sandy) was supposed to be a girl because that’s the way things were going. Surprise!
I am still trying to wrap my head around seven sisters.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:38 am.
Hi Julia! Yes, I think my parents were sure I’d be a boy… I mean, what are the odds, right? But they picked out a girl name just in case!
Good thing. And we only ever had two bathrooms.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:41 pm.
Hi Valerie. Very funny post. I can almost hear your older sister humoring you. There are just two of us. My brother and me. I’m 18 months older.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:47 am.
Hi Ella, Thanks for stopping by. Melanie and I are very close now but we weren’t particularly close when we were kids.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:41 pm.
Welcome Valerie, I am a goddess only in my own mind, but that should count right?
Mom fell down on the job, only six kids, five survivors and those were a mixed bag.I guess she thought there were enough of her siblings(9) to take up the slack. She was right, I ended up with 78 first cousins; you gotta love a Catholic family.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:06 am.
Hi evlqn,
The funny thing is, my family wasn’t Catholic until AFTER I was born! And yes, it absolutely counts to be a goddess in your own mind.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:42 pm.
I am the 7th child of 7 children. mostly girls too, with two pesky brothers between my 4 elder sisters and I.
I may not be the goddess daughter, but that 7th child lore sounds very interesting! must go check it out!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:11 am.
Hi Kathy,
I’m not sure if the lore applies to 7th children of mixed gender but I don’t see why not!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:43 pm.
Welcome Valerie!
I am very much the ‘baby’ of the family. My parents were 46 when I was born, and they had each been married before and were widowed. They had known each other for YEARS, growing up in the same town, and their other children had gone to school together. I was a surprise because my mother did not think she could have more children, so she said I was her miracle.
I have a niece that is older than me, and a nephew that is 4 months younger than me, and the closest sibling to my age is my only brother and he is 16 years older than I am, and my oldest sister is 25 years older than I am. That being said, I was very blessed because my family was so close–my nieces and nephews were like cousins and my sisters and my brother are amazing.
The only bad thing–my father died of cancer when I was only 10–I still miss him terribly and wish I had paid more attention to his stories of WWII, etc. My mother died right after my 30th birthday. Most of my friends had parents the ages of my sisters, so it was difficult at times.
One fantastic thing is that, from a very young age, I was surrounded by adults, so I learned to have respectful conversations with adults and the other kids my age did not have that. I loved it. And, because of the ‘yours, mine and ours’ blend, my daddy designed a family ring for my mother and because of all the kids and grandkids, every single birthstone is represented. I have it and it makes me gooey inside to know that Daddy put so much thought into it.
Glad you stopped by Goddess Valerie! Come back soon!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:38 am.
What a lovely story, Julie. Yours sounds like such a happy wonderful family. My dad died when I was 9. I was pretty much raised with all girls. No wonder I went to an all-women’s college.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:45 pm.
Hello Valerie!
I am the baby of 5 kids. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister. My brothers and sisters are from my mom’s first marriage and I am from her second marriage. Mom and Dad have been married for 35 years! My oldest brother is 13 yrs older, my sister is 12 yrs, next brother is 9 yrs and the last brother is 8 yrs older. I was basically raised as an only child since I was 8 or 9. My brothers were eager to be on their own and left me by myself.
I can’t say that was a bad thing, I got all the attention! Then again, there wasn’t much I could get away with if I wanted to. My brothers were entirely too good at getting themselves in trouble. So in a way, they were good role models. I learned what not to do!
I have 5 children, too. I have 3 boys and 2 girls just like my mom. The only difference was that there is a 5 year difference between my oldest and next born. I like the big family. We have a lot of fun together!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:15 am.
Hi Marlo,
A big family is definitely fun! Always something going on.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:46 pm.
Oldest of two… I get along really well with my little brother.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:17 am.
Thanks for stopping by, cail.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:46 pm.
Welcome, Valerie!
I am the oldest of two kids (I have a younger brother) and the offspring of two only children. It makes for very small, quiet holidays. In a way, I have always wanted one of those big families. I know it’s loud and boisterous sometimes, but there also seems to be that great bond.
I have been called a goddess a few times, but I think they were just humoring me.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:19 am.
Thanks, Sheridan. Be a goddess however you can, I say!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:47 pm.
Sadly, I am only a goddess on Mt. Oly (oldest of four, two girls and two boys). But we’re delighted to have you on the mount with us, and congrats on the book release! It sounds great–I’ll have to check it out!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:23 am.
Thanks so much, Sabrina! Seems like there are a lot of oldest or youngest checking in on the blog today. Where are all the middle kids?
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:48 pm.
Hi, Valerie! Thanks for joining us today and congrats on your book. I love the 7th daughter thing. Wow. I recalled something about being the 7th son, but didn’t remember werewolf. Eeek.
I am the younger of two children. One older brother. I have two sons myself. I think it would be fun to be part of a big family and was always envious of my BFF (and hung out with her a lot) because there were four kids. They’re Italian, so at the dinner table they sound like there are fourteen of them.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:33 am.
Hi Christie,
Thanks!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:49 pm.
I have a brother and sister. none of us have children.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:36 am.
Hi JCP, That’s interesting that none of you have kids. I have (oh, let me count) 11 nieces and nephews and three grand nephews!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:50 pm.
I’m the oldest of six and we are three sisters and three brothers. All the sisters’ and brothers’ first child born were females. I’m also the third born cousin in one year, also females. My maternal grandmother’s first born child was female and there were three females and two males in that family.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:07 pm.
Hi Karen,
Like me it sounds like you have a real a female-friendly family!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:51 pm.
Hi Valerie. I am the youngest of two. I have one older brother. I am not sure what I am. Other than spoiled that is. You see the males on my dad’s side rarely produce girls. Myself and grandfathers sister were the only ones in like 5 generations. My husband now his fanily is interesting. He is the only one for his mom and dad. But he has 9 half siblings between the two parents and 3 step-siblings. 7 boys and 6 girls. Of the 5 he lived with he is the middle. One of each older and one of each younger. I have to say having only one sibling kindof made the big family a plus.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:14 pm.
Hi Becky,
Don’t we always want what we don’t have?
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:52 pm.
Welcome, Valerie! I’m the first daughter of three, which should have made me the boss. But once both my younger sisters became taller than me, that all went away. *g*
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:19 pm.
Hi Suzanne,
Ha! The oldest should be the tallest, shouldn’t she!?
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:53 pm.
Youngest here. Have an older brother and sister.
My brother used to think that I was born just for him to tease! All that lasted until I turned about 15 and started annoying him back. ahhhh… revenge…..
I thought the 7th son of a 7th son also had powers of good or evil.
Listen to the Iron Maiden song – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
It’s excellent!!:)
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:24 pm.
Ooh, I do need to listen to that song. Thanks for the tip.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:53 pm.
I am the oldest of 3 – a sister and brother. I have 2 – a boy and a girl, my spouse though is one of 8 (he is the second one), he has three which in turn have given him 2, 9, and 4 (yup- 15).
My grandmother was one of nine with seven girls. She also is very superstitious (old world) and has her way and sayings. The seventh child of a seventh is always good, especially a girl – prosperity (I think mainly from fertility symbol).
I believe every woman is a goddess to be worshipped – at least that it how I was raised. It doesn’t mean eating bon bons but rather being loved and adored, cared for and treated above.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:30 pm.
Every woman is a goddess, Carla! Yes!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:54 pm.
Welcome Valerie! I just read Secrets of a Wedding night a couple of weeks ago – great book!
I, too, am one of seven children. We all have the same parents and no twins, lol. My mom’s an only child, didn’t like it, and wanted to make sure that we were never lonely. Unlike you, I have 2 very, very, very quiet brothers, who never had a chance since they’re 11 years apart. However, my younger brother can do girl talk (and has even bought chocolate for our baby sister who was so obviously PMSing), while our older brother immediately asks that we change the subject.
I’m the third oldest, but because of the age gap between my older brother and sister (5 and 6 years respectively), I’m the oldest of the last 5. I’m not really close to either one of my older siblings. Then, there’s myself and my next 2 sisters. Our baby sister calls us ‘The Redheads’ like we have our own clique in the middle of the family as the only redheads. There was a lot of tension between my sister who comes right after me until she was in her 20s – more her problem than mine. Once she grew up it everything was fine. Then, there’s the youngest of ‘The Redheads.’ We are the closest out of anyone in the family, and it’s been that way since she was born. People think that we’re twins, and we tell them we are – just born 4 years apart, lol. Then, there’s my baby sister who definitely looks at me for guidance. It’s ok most of the time, but sometimes, I really want to tell her it’s just common sense!
I love coming from a large family. It was great, but I couldn’t repeat it myself. I’ve 2 kids. In fact, all my siblings younger than me have 1-2 kids, while our older siblings both have 4 each. I did a lot more babysitting than they did for our parents, I think, lol.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 2:01 pm.
Hi Janae,
I’m so glad you enjoyed Secrets of a Wedding Night! And I totally hear ya on the babysitting. I was an American Red Cross certified babysitter!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:56 pm.
Hi Valerie,
There are 7 kids in my family and this is how it goes:
boy girl girl boy girl girl boy
My parents had a pattern going on….lol.
I am the oldest girl and next to the oldest overall. And what’s funny to me is our children, i.e. sister #1(me) have 1 kid, sister #2 has 2 kids, sister #3 has 3 kids and sister #4 has 4 kids.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 2:25 pm.
Oh, that’s so interesting, Ginger. Especially the pattern of the number of kids by birth order. Wow. If my family did that, I’d need to have seven though. Eep!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:57 pm.
As the OLDEST of seven, there’s no way I’d treat baby sister like a goddess. I changed her diaper, so believe me when I say she’s 100% human. Actually, she came as part of a package deal with a twin brother. So I’ve two sisters, separated by four brothers. Yes, you read that correctly. Me and sis #1, four brothers, and sis #2, and during most of sis #2′s growing years, I’d have willingly dubbed her a witch—with a capital B. Thank heaven she grew out of it!
Can’t wait to read your book. It’s sitting right beside me on my TBR pile. Wishing you wonderous success with it!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 2:31 pm.
Hi Gwyn, You should chat with my oldest sister sometime. I’m sure you could trade stories. My oldest sister claims I was adorable and well-mannered but I know I threw my share of fits. I have to admit, I liked being the baby…usually.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:58 pm.
Pleased to meet you, Goddess Valerie. I am the youngest of three, with an older brother and sister. I am the only right-handed one of our bunch, so I guess that makes me extra Not Special!
I love that your sister acknowledged your goddessness. Sisters are wonderful. Enjoy yours and have a great Halloween.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 2:43 pm.
Thanks! You know now that I think of it, I think all of my sisters are right-handed except one. Interesting.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:59 pm.
Welcome!
It’s a little disappointing that the prize is not available to those of us in Canada. But, c’est la vie.
I have one biological older brother, and two older step-brothers. But they have been in my life for so long that I’ve always considered them ‘real’ brothers.
That makes me the youngest of four, and the only girl. I got teased by them while growing up, but mostly I got ignored. Thus my love for reading.
Interesting blog! I had not heard about the seventh daughter being a Goddess! How cool is that?!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 2:52 pm.
Thanks, Cheri!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:01 pm.
I’m the oldest of 3 and I’m the only girl so my parents raised me as if I were a Goddess. Can’t wait to read your book.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 3:01 pm.
Wonderful, Lori! All girl children should be treated like goddesses, no?
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:01 pm.
1 boy (the oldest)and 4 girls. I am the baby. That meant lots of hand me downs, and lots of sibling achievements to live up to. But it also mean more freedom, because my mother was too exhausted by the time she got to me to be really strict.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 3:25 pm.
Hi Madeline! Ha! Yes, my mom was really lax with my rules too. In fact, when I was in high school, I didn’t have a curfew. She told me my friends’ parents would give them curfews and that would ensure I came home because I’d be alone otherwise. It worked!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm.
I’m adopted so I have no idea if I have blood siblings. I do have 2 older brothers who are also adopted and they are actually half brothers.
Christine Feehan wrote the Drake Sister series about 7 sisters all who had some “abilities”. The youngest (#7) was supposed to carry on the tradition by having 7 girls. It’s been awhile since I read the series but I believe she had some teasers with a few characters that alluded to 7 sons.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm.
Hi Pamiam, Thanks! I need to read those books.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:03 pm.
Welcome Valerie! Love the post!! For me, I guess I can say that I come from a large family.
Third oldest of six, Second oldest daughter of four. One older bother and older sister, then one younger brother after me then two younger sisters after him.
We get along pretty much okay, at least I do with all of them but for them with each other…not so much. We can all tolerate each other till a certain point.
ALL my sisters like to think themselves Goddesses. I at least got the dress to be a Goddess but they are the conceded ones.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 7:48 pm.
Hi Ki! It’s true, there’s often a lot of drama in a big family. Thanks for commenting!
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:41 am.
There were four of us three girls and one boy. I was one of the middle children.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 7:48 pm.
Yay for the middle children!
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:41 am.
I grew up in a family of 3 children, 2 girls & 1 boy. I was the oldest and we went girl, boy girl. My husband is the youngest of 4, 1 girl (eldest) & 3 boys. So when we started having kids of our own we expected the first to be a girl & second to be a boy. Which did happen. Then I became pregnant again. We had no idea which side would win out. It was 50-50. We were blessed with a daughter. A couple of years later we unexpectedly got pregnant and again had no idea, but hoped for a boy to even out the numbers. This time we were blessed with a boy, which made #2 extremely happy. He was no longer outnumbered. Life has been interesting raising these wonderful kids.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:18 pm.
Oh, how great, Eileen! An even split.
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:42 am.
I am the eldest of 5: 2 girls, a boy, two more girls. And I have all the worst characteristics of an eldest child (well, at least according to my younger siblings but what do they know?). My mom was always strictest with me and that used to irk me so much since I thought I deserved some leeway, being the responsible older sister.
The Drake Sisters books by Christine Feehan are good ones and I, too, recommend them.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:18 pm.
Thanks, Karen! You eldest children have a lot of responsibility.
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:43 am.
oldest
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:43 am.
Paternal family tree:
Male – 3 girls (eldest no children, middle has one of each and youngest has two of each)
Male – female stillborn
Female – no children
Male – no children
Dad – one of each (my brother adopted his wife’s son and had a daughter) no children for me.
Female – one daughter who had one of each
Stillborn Male
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:34 pm.
So sorry to hear about the stillborn, Tina.
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:44 am.
Maternal Family Tree:
Male – 8 children (Female with two of each, Female with no children, Female adopted her husband’s son and had two boys, Female has one of each, Female has one of each, Male with no children, Male with no children and Male with no children)
Mom had one of each
Male – no children
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:40 pm.
2 brothers
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:54 pm.
Welcome Welcome Welcome! I’m so excited that you are here. I already have your book so don’t put me in for the contest. I saw your excerpt at Heroes and Heartbreakers and HAD to order it that very day!!! Plan to start reading it this upcoming weekend.
I have one brother, and although he is 3.5 years younger than me, he is 6’4 and 240lbs so I can’t call him my ‘little brother’. So, I’m only a goddess when I come here, but that is okay by me!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:56 pm.
Hi Robin, Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT!
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:45 am.
I’m the oldest of only two girls. 5 years older than my sis. Mostly I didn’t try to kill her, but then I was always much larger and therefore had to watch out ’cause I could squish her by accident. (she’s still rather small even as an adult, but that runs in mom’s side of the family, I have an uncle shorter than me on that side) No goddess here, but that’s ok with me.
If you like 7th child lore in stories Orson Scott Card’s Alvin Maker series is an interesting one about a 7th son of a 7th son. Also Christine Feehan has a series with 7 magical sisters, I believe the youngest had the most magical abilities
.
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:18 pm.
Thanks Miranda! I can’t wait to read those Christine Feehan stories. I want to figure out what my powers are!
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:46 am.
Welcome to Mt. Oly! What a great story. I am the oldest of two children, and although, I’m not a goddess like you, my birth order compells me to be a controller and I’m perfectly happy with that.
If I don’t win one of your books, I am ordering it asap, it looks fantastic!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:58 pm.
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:47 am.
Well, no goddess here (but my parents tried).
I am # 4 our of 6 children. Two brothers (one on either side of me,) and 2 older sisters and # 6 is my youngest sister. In my own defense (having only brothers near me in age,) I turned to books for my entertainment. My Mom had 6 children in 8 1/2 years.
My parents were older when they married. Mom was 30 and Dad was 36 at their wedding in 1946. That in itself was unusual. Then they waited 2 years to start their family. Since they wanted LOTS of kids, they had as many as possible by Mom’s 40th birthday.
A bit of trivia….When Mom had # 6, she was in the maternity ward with “older” Mothers who were surprised with a “change of life” (menopause) baby. Those Moms had kids 20 years difference in age!
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 2:13 am.
Oh wow, Martha. How funny that they put your mom with the “older mothers.”
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:48 am.
I want to thank the goddesses for having me and thanks everyone who left a comment! What fun!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:11 am.