My Big Brother

Until I was eight years old, it was just Joseph and me. We were home schooled for some of that time, so we were all each other had. We usually did a lot of arguing, as can be expected, but we always had fun growing up together. We played cowboys and Indians in the woods for hours. One time, we took the paddle my dad made to spank us with and threw it on top of my Uncle Seth’s barn. We thought that would be it for the spankings. Dad just made a bigger paddle. My brother taught me how to play football. We were always outside doing something.

We’ve survived two falls that resulted in hospital visits. When Joseph was about six and I was four, we were climbing our favorite tree when Joseph fell. He fell a good ways and it knocked him unconscious. I was still up in the tree and looked down and hollered, “Jose? Jose?” and then looked up to the kitchen window, where mom was washing dishes, and hollered, “Mom!” Mom ran outside in a panic. According to mom, I was leaning over Joseph asking if he was dead. I’m sure that didn’t help keep mom from going into panic mode. Joseph ended up being fine, but we had mom scared to death! Another time, when I was five, Joseph and I were playing on the bunk bed when we were supposed to be asleep. I was hanging off the top bunk and Joseph had my hands as if we were Mufassa and Scar on “The Lion King.” Very dramatically, he said, “long live the king!” and threw my hands off the bed. I fell and split my head open on the door knob. Being the blond that I am, I didn’t bother to hold on, but willingly fell off the bed. I still have a scar on my forehead where I got seven stitches that night. It makes for a funny story though!

My brother taught me how to be tough. He never did anything for me, but expected me to keep up with him. If we were playing football, he never took it easy on me. He showed me respect without treating me like a baby. Growing up, in all our pictures and home videos, Joseph is always squeezing my hand or arm. Whether or not you can see it, he has that clenched grin pasted on his face. I like to think that he just loved me so much he couldn’t control it! Joseph has a great sense of humor. He always has a funny story to tell and keeps us laughing. He is tough and strong, and might appear a bit on the rough side, but he is humble and has a good heart.

Over the years my brother and I have grown apart, as do most brothers and sisters I am sure, but I know that he’s still there for me. There is a special bond that only a brother and sister share. It’s a loyalty and a pride. It’s an understood commitment.  And I know that no matter where life takes us, we’ll always be there for each other.