March 10, 2006

What a Guy

My brother turns 33 on Monday, and though I'm a little early, you can never wish someone you love a happy birthday too many times!

When I was a kid I dreamed about having a sister. Even though my parents were done having children, I thought if I hoped enough, prayed enough, even begged enough, that they would grant my request. (Obviously I never got a baby sister, but I've been blessed with so many close female friendships in my life that it hardly mattered.)

I don't know why I was focused on having a sister - maybe because my mother had four or maybe because I didn't think that I would be able to share things and build memories with a stinky boy in the same way. Thank god I was wrong.

My brother is one of the best people I know - he is funny, whip smart and has the most infectious laugh. We had our share of tension and squabbles growing up - he thought I was spoiled and I thought he was just mean - so sometimes it amazes me that we can be so loving and open with each other now. I guess maturity helps in that arena.

In less than five months he will be somebody's daddy and I can honestly say that I am more happy for him than I think I would be for myself. My brother spent a lot of his early life feeling isolated and left out - he didn't make friends very easily and every weekend when I would pack a nightgown and roll up my Barbie sleeping bag for yet another slumber party, he would be in his room, alone.

So the joy I feel that he now has this wife, this partner, that he's part of a whole family, it's unexplainable. I am so grateful to my sister-in-law and her family for embracing him like they have. I am so grateful to her that she loves him without condition, without question, without end.

I may never find that, but sometimes it's enough that he did.

Happy birthday, brother. The Garfield coffee mug is from me.

Posted by hannah at 04:19 PM