I’ve been sitting here for awhile trying to decide what I want to say on this special day. The day we mark the beginning of my brother’s 35th year.
At first I think I will talk about how funny he is and then I change my mind. Rather, I think I will talk about how committed he is. Or hard-working. Or laid back. Or real. Or generous. Or maybe how chill he is. . . always. And then I read this. . .
But not to brothers and sisters.
We know each other as we always were.
We know each others hearts.
We share private family jokes.
We remember family feuds and secrets,
family griefs and joys.
We live outside the touch of time.
-Clara Ortega
Damon, I have watched you go through so many phases of life. Some transitions that were made with ease and some, I’m sure, that were made with difficulty. I’ve watched you become a husband and a father and become better and better with each passing year. I’ve seen you do hard things without an utterance of a complaint. I’ve watched, from afar, and always admired.
Despite all that I’ve watched, though, in my mind you will always be the crazy brother who stuck his finger in our mashed potatoes. The guy who tortured us one second and then puffed out his chest in protection of us in the next. The guy who would search the house for hidden Christmas gifts and who would entice me to climb onto the roof when Mom and Dad weren’t home. The guy who ran that very first mile with me and encouraged me with every, single step.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that in my mind, in a way, you will always be 14 and I will always be twelve. . . and I like it that way. In my mind, who you are, exists outside the touch of time and you will always be my big brother.
I’m so thankful for that.
I’m so thankful for you.
Happy Birthday, Damon.
I’m so glad that you are my brother.
tears. tears. tears. i love the quote and i love the words you created to celebrate your big bro!