This is my brother.
(Note the baking skills. I'm trying to teach him.)He had been relentlessly hounding me to make Almond Joy bread since Christmas break began. Our convos went a little something like this.
"Dude, make me Almond Joy bread."-Brother
"Ehhh, not now. Later. I promise."-Me
Later turned into days which turned into weeks which turned into a good month and a half. About a week ago I was messing around on my computer, going through and deleting unnecessary files and what not. I'm a proud Apple owner and use those handy "Stickies" on my desktop. I've got "Stickies" for many things; To-do list, Music list, Baking list and a Bucket list. I like to go through and read my bucket list every once and awhile, revamping and tweaking here and there. I opened it up and found this at the bottom...
Just a simple note, but it brought tears to my eyes.Over the last couple of years I've realized how much I cherish my relationship with my brother. Four years older than me, he was my playmate for a long time growing up. Sure I was probably conned into playing "Deer and hunter" (myself being the deer and being pelted with rolled-up socks), but nonetheless I got to play with "Brother."
Soon he was in high school, discovered girls, and spent a majority of his time out of the house. Being a typical teenager he wanted to be with his friends and deciding to join the Marines after high school, he seemed to spend every waking moment with them. I don't blame him, I probably would have done the same thing.
He left for boot camp after graduation and for the next four years he did and experienced more than anyone will probably do and experience their entire life. Boot camp, SOI (School of Infantry), two deployments and traveling all around the world. Needless to say, my family and I did not see him very often. Letters, phone calls, occasional e-mails and short visits home were all the contact we had with him for those four years.
He missed my years of high school. Missing basketball games, track meets, music programs, and my first dating experiences. For me personally, I felt that our relationship had grown distant. He was my brother and I loved him, but it just wasn't the same. I take a majority of the blame, knowing I could have done more. I beat myself up when I think of his deployments. I rarely wrote him and to this day regret not writing more.
His four years of duty were up in 2007, just in time for him to make it back for my high school graduation. For the next few years, my brother and I began to build that brother-sister bond we once had as young tykes. We lived in the same town, went to the same college, and hung out all the time, catching up on the years we had lost.
My brother will graduate come May and become a commissioned officer for the United States Marine Corps. He's a great son, an awesome brother, and a loving father. I'm so proud of him and all his accomplishments and don't tell him that enough.
Nate, you're the ideal "big brother" and I thank God everyday He has blessed me with you in my life. Even though we don't agree on a lot of things and I blame you as "the reason why Hannah, Harlee, and I will never get married," I wouldn't trade you for anything or anyone.Love you too...-Al
P.S. I will make you Almond Joy bread anytime. ;)
