Big Brothers

I was thinking about Big Brothers today. I saw both of mine this weekend, a rarity that has the potential of being more frequent now, but for years happened a handful of times in a calendar year. I thought about a young friend who is losing his big brother much, much too early. The sadness of that loss is overwhelming, especially since I can't imagine a day without my brothers.

I still look up to my big brothers and not just because they tower over me. I look up to Matt as a parent. His unending patience, his gentleness and the way he plays princess as well as he mans a light saber. I love his passion for life. He gets genuinely excited about the next new band he discovers or getting some guys together for a Pond Hockey tournament he set as a goal a year ago. I look up to Mark for so many reasons. Everyone knows Mark and everyone loves him. Big, burly and tattooed on the outside, he is absolutely one of the nicest and most caring guys I know. And Mark lives his life. He knows what he loves and he does it.  No excuses, no putting off for another day what he can enjoy now. We get frustrated with each other from time to time and disagree on any number of subjects. But when it really counts, I know exactly who to call.

I look at my boys and I hope with all my heart that 30 years from now they can say the same.