The Meanest Thing Anyone Ever Said to Me

I remember the meanest thing anyone ever said to me.

I was dining at a steakhouse as a part of a group. Someone spoke about a pair of sisters. The sisters had had a falling out and were not speaking to each other.

Someone chimed in, “Chelsey, you never have to worry about having a sister.”

Ouch.

She meant it as a good thing. I thought it was terrible.

Why would she point out that I lack the blessing of a sister, like it's funny? How anti-life!

I felt her comment was heinous given that she knew that the only brother I had, had died young in a tragic accident.

She’s lucky I didn’t throw the whole basket of yeast rolls at her.

As Catholics, we know that children are good, and ergo, siblings are good; I am especially grateful for Lila Rose's voice on this topic.

The person who pointed out that I have no sisters was not Catholic. I have to remind myself that she was well-intentioned, though her comment was symptomatic of our society’s anti-family culture.

The sad sexism of the comment is a whole other nightmare that would need its own dedicated space to be addressed.

I know that as a Catholic, I belong to the magnificent family that is our Catholic Church. But having no siblings, especially given my brother’s passing, still has pains that ebb and flow.

I like to pray Night Prayer from the Divine Office. One of my favorite things about it is knowing that other Catholics, all over the world, are praying it too.

My brothers and sisters are praying it too!