My Big Brother

I am fortunate to have the best big brother in the entire world. Now, I know that some people might argue this point and contend that their eldest brother is the best, but I will save these people the trouble. By far, my brother is the best. My brother, Lee, is eleven years older than myself and because of this age difference I truly do not have a great many growing up memories with him. We are very apart in age, so we didn't really play together, for example. But the memories I do have with him are those I treasure the most.

When I was younger, and Lee was a teenager, he had a job working at an ice cream parlor. He always gave me the pennies from his tips because he didn't think the pennies added up to much. I learned how to count money with these pennies. I learned how to count up to a lot of dollars with these pennies. Lee learned to not give so freely with his pennies! But, a deal was a deal, and Lee continued to give me the pennies. I learned how to be generous from Lee.

Lee helped take care of me when I had the chicken pox. He was already out of high school, so I must have been around eight years old. He brought me my chicken noodle soup and played barbies with me while I stayed in bed, miserable. Our mom insisted that he would catch chicken pox, too, but Lee didn't care -- he also thought he wouldn't catch them since he was so much older and hadn't had them yet. Soon, my chicken pox were gone and Lee had them himself. I learned how to put others before myself from Lee.

I also have memories of being told what was in my Christmas stocking before I could see for myself. And Lee singing hymns in Italian, waking up our sister Mary, after he came home from his mission. I remember Lee calling my friend "Jennifuh" and me "Kizzy". And I always remember laughing with Lee. I learned how to not take myself so seriously and to have a sense of humor from Lee.

I have vague memories of Lee taking my sister and me outside to the backyard when our parents were fighting. He probably doesn't even know I can remember that because I must have been really little. Truth be told, these memories are really fuzzy, but I can remember him holding my little hand and walking me out there. I always felt safe with Lee. From Lee, I learned to always put my family first.

After my lung had collapsed, I can remember slowly waking up and becoming more conscious in my hospital room and finding Lee cutting up my ham that was sent up for my dinner. I wasn't really aware of what was happening, but then he started to feed me a little at a time. Just a little piece at a time, slowly. Lee taught me that I could rely on others who love me when I feel the most vulnerable.

Last year, I went through a really difficult time. A time when I was feeling like I was being attacked from all directions. I didn't know who I could trust, but my brother Lee was right there by my side. Like always. He told me he was proud of me, and he posted it on my Facebook wall for all the world to see. He wasn't afraid to show everybody that he was proud of his little sister, even if I was feeling like nobody wanted to believe in me. Lee was believing in me, and that made all the difference. Lee showed me what true loyalty meant.

I have lots of memories of my big brother. He has always tried his best to do his best for us. And I'm sure there are lots of times when he doesn't feel the most appreciated, which makes me sad, because who I am today has been shaped a lot by who he is. So other people can think they have the best big brother, and I suppose I will let them think that because I know the truth. I do have the best big brother. And I love him with my whole heart.