So there are two things you need to know here:
First -- After doing a little research, turns out National Brother’s Week is actually the week of July 10th. So, oops.
Second -- Change and adaptability are not my strong suits. Once I start something, I will usually continue down that road to the end – right or wrong. Not proud of it sometimes, but I’m just sharing the way it is. So it may not be “National” Brothers Week, but I declare it my “Brothers Week”!
As those of you that know us know, and those of you that have read the “About Us” section on the website have an idea, Sylvia, Katy and I did not grow up in the same household. My parents had me, were later divorced, and then both remarried. I lived with my mother and stepfather. Sylvia and Katy were born to our father and their mother (my stepmother) where they grew up. For most of my life, they lived just up the street from me and we saw each other a lot. I know it may sound a little confusing, but growing up I thought it was normal until other people told me it wasn’t.
My mom and stepdad found that they were not able to have children together, after my mother had gone full term with two stillborn babies. When I was 12 they adopted a 3-day old baby boy who they named Anthony James. Anthony, after their doctor who had helped them in the adoption process, and James, after my stepdad. (I hate using the word “stepdad”, because he was an awesome man that I adored. I only use that term to differentiate between him and my birth dad, Virgil, who was also very special to me, and to help avoid confusion.)
This long story is just to explain why I talk about “my” brother, and not “our” brother. Usually when we are together, the introductions go something like, “This is my sister and my sister’s sisters”, or “This is my sister and my sister’s brother”. We’re all so funny, aren’t we?
We talk a lot about sisters, sisterhood, and creating your own circle of sisters because we are committed to that. But today, I would like to say what an awesome brother I have.
I could on and on about the many amazing things my brother has accomplished at the young age of 42. He owns and operates at least four auto and RV dealerships, a radio station, furniture store, three restaurants, and this is just the beginning of a long list. That may be what most people think about when they think about him. But not me.
My brother has used his hard work and accomplishments to help many people. The amount of philanthropic work he does (most of it without anyone knowing) is amazing. But again, that’s not what I love about him.
I love him because he’s my brother. We share a part of life that no one else understands or is privy to. The bond we share is unique. Because he’s so much younger than me, at times I think of him as my child, but I would guess that many older sisters feel like the protector of their younger siblings.
Since both of our parents are no longer with us, we really are the remaining two of that family. We go in spurts where we talk every day or every other day, and then not again for weeks. But it doesn’t matter. We always pick up right where we left off.
I am so thankful for my brother, Tony. You truly are a blessing in my life, and I love you so much.
Since I’ve declared it “My National Brother’s Week”, I encourage all of you that have brothers to join with me by either giving your own brother a call, sending a message, or saying a little prayer for them today.
(I like creating my own week. Maybe next week I’ll create “Lady to Clean my House Week!”)
Debbie