July 16, 2008
21
My little brother turns 21 today. I was in summer camp, between 5th and 6th grade, when he was born. My stepfather came to pick me and my sister up at school. I guess he or my mom had called ahead to pull us out of our classrooms because I remember waiting in the office for him to arrive. I don't remember visiting at the hospital (though I'm sure we did, since we got pulled out of school and all), but I do remember once he and mom were home watching him in his crib. I remember helping her change him and feed him, and strolling him around the neighborhood, playing with him, watching movies with him, and when he was Brandon's age, I'd be the one to read stories to him and tuck him in at night.
I can't believe it's been 21 years...I see him in front of me, but I can't wrap my head around the fact that my little brother is now a grown man. It's been a rough couple of years. He got into some trouble, as kids his age are prone to do, but he has a heart of gold, and it pleases me to no end when I see him playing with my kids, same as we did with him when he was their age.
Happy birthday, little brother. I'm so proud of the man you have become, but I'm even prouder to be called your sister.
Damn. It's still pretty hard to read through tears.
Posted by: Uncle Val at July 16, 2008 9:25 AMTell your brother that I say... Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: Lilli at July 16, 2008 11:40 AMHappy Birthday from me, too!
Posted by: Venomous Kate at July 16, 2008 12:42 PMthank u . i love all of u. thank u for being a part of my difficult but satisfying childhood. im flatterd. dnt know wat to say except i love everyone of you. this is it im 21. my dreams start to become realities. once again i love all of u, becuase all of u had sumthing to do with raising me. and its because u guys that were there for me. even wen i didnt need u. but now im lil older, mature, u know grown. i can confidently say u guys truly r the greatest family. thanks val, i love u too brother. ur my uncle. all i remember is playing football and sitting in that passenger seat of ur black convertible. see u sat.11am.
mom. we have been through so much. i admire u for ur courage to continue and even wen ur down u always find time to help me. as a matter of fact it almost like u live ur life for us.(my sistas). abuelo. te quiero mucho. me has ensenado mucho( con paciensa y saliva se la metio el elephante a la ormiga) e aprendido mucho de ti. eres tremendo hombre. abuela. que puedo decir eres mi abuelita. te quiero mucho mucho mucho..... finally i want all of u to know that i am greatful of all that has been done for me. we r a family and just like all of u have been there for me, even though im young i will be there for you...
My youngest one turned 21... What a joy! I am very proud of you and your sisters, and eventhough at times I compare you to them, it is out of love and out of wanting the best for you. I hope that, at your own pace and in your own way, be as successful as your sisters are... Today I am very proud of the three of you and I hope that you all know that I have always tried to do the best I could for your, after all, children don't come to a parent's life with an instruction book, so you kind of have to learn as you go along, and sometimes it is not an easy road. You are a great son, and I love you and your sisters with all my heart... mom
Posted by: Silvia at July 17, 2008 11:49 AM