I have the absolute greatest brother around. Some of you may think that you do...but really, you don't - I do. He is one of the best people I know - a great dad and a great big brother. We don't get to talk and hang out as much as I'd like - kids and distance can do that...but I love him nonetheless. I love my sister too...she's my best friend (who would have ever thought that could happen??)...but this one's about my big brother. I wish I still had a scanner...I'd put a picture of us from back then.
There is a part of me that has been excited to have a boy first, the big brother, and then the little sister a few years later. I already see how much fun they have together and how much she wants to be where he is and doing what he is doing; as well as the big brother protector for her too. (we've never even said that, it's just part of him). The other night I had to call my brother during the kid's bath. Evan is so excited that Abbie is big enough to be in the tub with him to play. As I watched him pour water all over her, give and take away toys, place a wet washcloth over her face over and over to play "Where's Abbie" admist me asking him to please stop and to be a little more gentle with her; I had a flashback - and a flashforward of sorts. You see, Abbie laughed and giggled no matter what Evan did to her. She loved it. She loved being part of his fun.
My flashback? Well, that was me years ago. I did whatever my brother said and laughed at just about everything he did and said. I am (as far as we know) the first (and only) unmanned human sprinkler - why? because my brother told his two year old sister (me) to put a hose in her mouth and to not remove it while he went over and turned it on. Mom was not pleased - I am thinking I was. Just to be a part of what he was up to. I tagged along everywhere and he let me. He taught me to ride the trials around the bayou and to jump out of trees (well, there is the broken arm incident and we don't quite agree on who's fault that was). We explored caves and rivers and trails and the land of our hunting lease. I never felt like the "kid sister" tagging along, I lnew he wanted me there. I visited him in college and he came to Colorado when I moved there to see me. There are so many more memories and fun stories I can't share them all. We were always looking out for each other.
I am so grateful for that moment the other night. A glimpse into my past and hopefully a view of my future. I hope that Evan and Abbie's friendship continues to grow and that they can have some of the same memories and feelings I do. Well, maybe not the broken arm or the arrow shot at the apple on the head...but the fun, the adventure, the acceptance, the mutual admiration and protection.
1 comment:
Loved this post. It made me cry. That's silly! :-) Hugs.
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