A brother’s love.
I love my brother. We’ve practicably been inseparable since my birth – as I’m the younger by two years – and have had an amazing life (still?) growing up. Always my partner in crime from a young age, I don’t know what it would be like to have a brother who didn’t care for me or who wasn’t interested in similar things. From pushing my stroller (really fast!), riding bikes, playing sport and hanging out to “educating” me on the ways of women, defending me against the occasional bully and indulging in the odd street race, I mean spirited drive, I will forever be thankful.
A huge factor in the closeness of my relationship with my brother stems from the fact that we’re a really close family. We’ve done so much together, we all love each other deeply and will fiercely defend one another should the need arise. I know some of what I’m saying may feel like stating the obvious, but more and more nowadays I’m struggling to find families similar to ours which speaks to the broken and disconnected nature of society.
Growing up in a small country town in a working class family, you had to make your own fun and, if anything, this brought us closer together. We’d regularly be out from dawn until dusk on our bikes, building jumps or tracks and getting muddy/dirty to the point where you could only make us out when we smiled.
It was not all a bed of roses, like most brothers, but we were far from The Hostile Brothers of Cain & Abel. However, I will strike down up thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brother.
Our brotherhood has stood the test of time. Our banter/humour/piss-taking, our shared interests and our understanding of one another (though it’s probably more my understanding of him than his understanding of me haha). To illustrate this, I didn’t post this on his birthday because I know how much he dislikes the celebration *winks*. We still greatly enjoy hanging out and being around one another, though this has unfortunately reduced in quantity due to my brother’s relocation to the big smoke. Still, when your brother also doubles as a best friend this does impact your level of social interactions!
“Sometimes it makes me sad though – Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they’re gone. I guess I just miss my friend.” – Red, The Shawshank Redemption
I know “brothers” are not always defined by blood, but, to me, the best ones usually are.
My brother is one of the few people who loves me for me. A genuine and sincere love that is pleasing to the soul. When I’m with him I don’t feel I have to be anyone but me. It is a connection I feel truly blessed to have.
It's why the opening title sequence to Assassin's Creed II is so dear to me (and you):
Federico: It is a good life we lead, brother.
Ezio: Ah, the best. May it never change.
Federico: And may it never change us.
So, brother dearest, no matter where you are, whether it's a quarter mile away or halfway around the world, you'll always be with me and you'll always be my brother…and I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again (which is tomorrow haha!).
Love you, bro xo
