Hey Big Brother,
I remember Mom and Dad telling me how excited you were to be a big brother and how you named me Lisa while I was still in Mom's stomach! (You were a big fan of the Simpsons, and apparently, I would have been Bart if I was a boy.)
I remember some of the fun times that we had together like when you built a cage out of K-NEX and put us both in it. You really showed your creativity there.
Also, when Mom and Dad were working and we were out of school for the summer, you would braid my hair like Princess Leia while we watched Star Wars movies. Sometimes you would even brush my Barbie's hair.
I also remember seeing you on the breathing machine as a kid. I was always curious about what it was about. I also remember sitting at the doctor's office for a long period of time after we went to the zoo. I remember my face-painted self wondering how long does it take for a doctor's appointment.
I didn't realize until I was older that you have cystic fibrosis. I always had many questions about why we went on those walks every May, but now I understand because this is a horrible disease and we all want a cure for it.
When our parents found out that you had it, they got me tested, too. I tested negative, but there is a chance I could end up carrying the gene one day. That doesn't scare me too much — I will know what to do now because of you.
One memory I have is when you made a wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and they came to our house and gave you a bunch of stuff. Our parents mentioned that you had a sister and didn't want me to feel left out, so they gave me a SpongeBob computer game.
When Mom called saying that you were in the hospital you had pneumonia, I didn't think too much of it and thought it wasn't really anything serious. But then a few days later Mom called after the doctors told them that the surgery did not go well and to expect the worst. Mom then called me and sent my uncle out to pick me up and take me to the hospital.
I thought you were going to die.
I saw a sight that I never wanted to see: you on a breathing machine fighting for your life. You ended up making progress as the family that we sometimes don't even see that often come out to see you. You were improving every day, and you even had the comfort of a therapy dog.
You got to go home on Dad's birthday which I bet was the best present he ever received. You recovered at your old home with Weasley on your lap, on constant guard duty.
You were also in a lot of pain from the chest tube that you had to have in for a while. You looked miserable. I spent some time at school wishing I was there for you. You also got a bit skinnier since you had to cut back on sugar — that must have been hard for you.
Through it all, you survived, and I am glad you are still alive. I want to see you get to old age, I want to see you get married and have a family of your own even if it's adoption, foster, or father-figure to a kid who may have an absent father or being the awesome uncle to my future kids. I'd love to see you inspire the next generation.
Cystic fibrosis is no joke, and my family and I will be taking part in one of many Great Strides walks across the country. You can help too educate yourself on CF and learn what it means if you or a loved one are affected by it.
Here are some organizations you can look at to donate, which also happen to be Shawn's favorites!
