Having an older brother is hands-down one of the best things you can have. They are your friend, counselor, pain-in-the-ass, and protector all in one. I was blessed to grow up with two older brothers so it was double the trouble. As time goes on, it's inevitable that people become distant from each other. Whether their friends or colleagues, time plays a role on people's relationships among another. Unfortunately for me, time had played on a role on the relationship between my older brother and I. But this is not a sob story, it is simply a thank you letter. And here are five things I want you to know.
I’m always thinking of you
I know we live completely different lives. You’re off at work while I’m at college getting a degree. But there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. Even though we don’t talk or text everyday, I know you will always be there for me no matter what. I am always a phone call away.
Being distant was a blessing in disguise
I’ve always blamed Mom and Dad for our atrocious age gap. While you were out having fun, experimenting in your college years, I was stuck in an elementary classroom, envying your freedom away from Mom and Dad. But because of you, I learned a lot from your mistakes and successes throughout life and growing up. Our age gap forced me to look at things from a whole new perspective.
It hasn’t always been easy
I know growing up, we didn’t always see eye to eye. Forming a relationship was hard when our schedules never seemed to intertwine. Days and weeks would go by without seeing or hearing from you. Not talking to you, sometimes felt like the new “norm” to me. It’s hard when we both live our separate lives. Let alone the fact that we almost have a decade age gap between us. And for a while I started to accept the fact that we may never have the relationship I’ve always wanted. But with time, we made it through. You taught me to always hold onto the things you love most.
I look up to you in so many ways
You have no idea how much you inspire me to be the best I can be. Whether it was on the basketball court or in the workfield, you inspired me to reach my full potential. Your hard work ethic is something I’ve always envied of you. If you want something, you will go above and beyond to go get it. You will do anything in your power to achieve greatness. Your go-getter attitude is one of the many traits that I will forever admire.
I will always love you
Although I may never say it, I will always love you no matter what. Knowing that you will always be there for me, emotionally, is something that I will always cherish and hold on to. I know one day when we are old and have children of our own, we are going to laugh about how things were growing up. Growing up with a brother like you has made me so much stronger as a person and I can never thank you enough for that.
Thank you for putting up with my annoying ways, my constant bickering about absolutely nothing, and my horrendous jokes. Thank you for always having my back when things would get difficult around the house. But most importantly, thank you for being the best big brother you can be.
To the moon and back,
Lana
