My brother is 21 months younger than me. You wouldn't be able to tell looking at us though, as he is like 5,000 feet taller than me and looks about 10 years older than me. My brother and I, like many siblings, haven't always gotten along. He would steal my toys. I would turn off his movie and turn on mine. Disagreements resulting in time outs is part of having a sibling. Although we've always been close, it wasn't until this year, when I moved half way across the country for school, that I really began to appreciate what it meant to have a brother, and what my brother meant to me.
He was (and still is) always there to play with. My dad is an only child and talks about how boring and lonely it was for him not having anyone to play with. My brother and I never had that problem. Since he was born, I've always had someone to do things with. During summers, when we're at our cottage, I can always count on him to come swimming with me or go out on the boat with. On vacations, while my parents relaxed by the pool, my brother and I would always be in it; making up some sort of game, or trying to dunk each other under the water. Now that we are older, I always have someone to go on late night Dairy Queen runs with or go biking with at a local park. Since I've been away from home, I realized just how important having him around is and was to me. There have been countless times at school when I've wanted to go and do something and sure, I have my friends, but sometimes there are things I just want to do with my brother.
He has taught me the value of hard work. My brother has been playing soccer for almost as long as I can remember. He started when he was four and still plays it to this day. Through the years, he has become a better and better player. Now, not only is soccer something that he is super passionate about, but it is something he is great at. He made the JV team is freshman year of high school, was the captain of JV sophomore year, is on Varsity now, and is going to be a captain next year! Watching him play soccer all these years, although annoying at times, has definitely showed me that hard work pays off and that if you want something bad enough, you have to work for it. My brother definitely has.
He understands me. Growing up with a disability can sometimes be a challenge, especially when your disability isn't really visible to many. While other kids, and sometimes adults, often didn't understand why I couldn't do something, my brother always understood and he does to this day. As children, he would do his hardest to include me when we were playing in a group with other kids and be patient with me, even if the other kids weren't. If we are somewhere and I am having a hard time doing something, he is often the first one to reach out a hand to steady me, to help me in whatever way he can. When I can't do something, he never gives me a hard time about it because he understands and that has meant so much. It's something that I find myself missing often when we are apart.
He has always pushed me to be better. I am not a very competitive person, but a little competition here and there is normal with siblings and is normal with me and my brother. When we were younger, everything seemed to be a competition between the two of us. One always wanted to be better than the other and most of the time, my brother would be better. As he became more aware of me and my challenges, that dynamic changed, and he started to encourage me rather than try to beat me. Although he often teasingly doubts my abilities, when push comes to shove, he has always been one of my biggest supports, always helping and encouraging me whenever he could. He was, after all, the reason I finally learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. A year or two after him.
Because of him, I am able to resolve conflicts. Conflicts are natural and a part of life, no matter how much everyone hates them. This was especially true of me and my brother when we were younger and even to some extent now. He and I fought over the dumbest things as children, but because of those dumb fights, I have learned how to resolve conflicts. No matter how big the fight, eventually one of us would give in and apologize, admit we were wrong, and face the consequences. This is perhaps the most important lesson I've been taught as a result of having a brother. In the real world, it's important to fix a problem when one arises, and admit fault when wrong. No matter how much it sucks, it has to be done, and because of my brother, I know when to give in.
Really, I am thankful to my brother for so much more than five things; the list could go on for days. The truth is, having a brother can sometimes be a pain. They are annoying, loud, and sometimes down right rude. It wasn't until I moved far away from mine that I realized how truly amazing he is and how much I owe to him.
So, Andy, if you read this: Thank you. You make me proud everyday; even when you do stupid things, I love you.
