My Big Brother

It's after 11 at night. A Sunday night. I'm in the middle of nowhere, desert land. I barely have an internet connection. But I'm so anxious! I get to see my big brother tomorrow! :)

We're not your typical brother-sister. He's the oldest, I'm the youngest. In a blended family of 9. I didn't grow up with him. There are over 30 years between our births! He did live with us for a little while, when I was 5 years old! But we just never had that type of relationship. We have weathered quite a bit together. The loss of our grandma, our crumbling family, his 2 divorces, his career in the USMC, when he went to war, and his move.

But tomorrow is a very special day. He is moving back home. It has been almost 9 years since he left. I guess if we get real technical here, it's been 8 years and almost 8 months. I've been without my big brother. We've talked at random, on the phone. I've written to him, he's sent cards. Oh, and I have a pile of letters, that never made it to the post office. I've seen him 3 times, in this almost 9 year period. It's been a long time!

A lot has changed. We've lost some really important family members. I've grown up. A lot! I've moved away. I think we can say it, I'm an adult now. When he left, I was barely 18 years old. Days away from graduation. Life has just pushed forward. And my brother hasn't been here. Not that I've forgotten him, but we just had to go on. I've missed him. Thought about him, prayed for him. And I honestly can't wait to see him again.

This is going to be a big adjustment for a lot of people. My brother most of all! But I do hope that we can have a better relationship at the end of the day. I'm not very close to any of my 8 siblings. The age thing, it's a big issue. Oh, and having different parents doesn't help much either! But I'm hoping for the best. For my big brother, my family, and me. It's time for our family to start healing. And if that means the youngest and the oldest have to start it, well I'm up for the task! ♥