My Brother, My Friend

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."

Marc Brown


Today's post is about my "baby" brother, Ben. He's eighteen years old and will be graduating high school in a couple of months. Then, he has plans to immediately leave for his mission.

 



Ben is a very talented person. This is him right before a gig. He plays the bagpipes in the local high school's pipe band. How cool is that!? He has also been on the school swim team (and lettered!), the tennis team, and was in a school play. He just earned his Eagle Scout award. He's brilliant in math. I remember teaching him the concept of multiplication when he was in kindergarten. Can you say, "WHAT?!"?

Ben is also incredibly soft-hearted. He is so giving and quick to forgive. My mom told him a week ago about what's going on in my marriage right now and I could see him caring about me in his quiet way. He asked me if I wanted a grilled pizza (best thing ever. Google it), so he made the dough and we cooked our pizzas together. I accidentally put too much oil on the bottom of his, so when he slapped it on the grill, flames shot up!

Then, just yesterday, he came over and helped me clean my house. He swept my floor, took out the trashes, vacuumed my whole house, and played with Charlie. We talked music most of the time. I seriously loved that time together. Those acts of service that he's done for me won't fix my marriage or the heartbreak that goes with, but I'm feeling so loved as he does those things for me and spends time with me. I'm so thankful for the memories we're creating, because we're growing up and going separate ways. No matter where he goes on his mission, two years will seem like a long time. And we'll never be back in this moment when it's gone. Who knows what will happen in the future? I'm sure we won't live just around the corner from each other forever.

 



I really look up to Ben. He's a good kid and a good friend. He's brilliant and funny and kind. I'm thankful I have him as my brother.

Final Thought

"When thou art converted, strengthen thy bretheren"

Luke 22:32