Blessed Birthday, Big Brother

To my big brother,

When I was younger, I knew you hated me. I knew you had one purpose in life, and that was to make me miserable. And you were good at it. I remember positioning the cereal box between us so you couldn't 'look' at me. Your favorite pasttime was thinking up ways to make me mad. And you were good at that, too.

When I got older, something changed. Maybe you got smart. Maybe I did. Maybe you grew up. Maybe I did. One day I decided maybe you didn't hate me. Maybe you were more interested in who I was than in how you could get to me. Maybe you cared about me more than either one of us would have ever admitted.

But that day did come...and I believe we would both attest to the fact that we care very much for one another. You have been there for me through thick and thin. When I felt like no one else understood, you did. When I thought no one else knew what I was going through, you did. When I needed a listening ear, you were there. When I needed a shoulder to cry on, you were there.

Although I would never have believed it when I was younger, I am indeed blessed to be your little sister. You have blessed me in so many ways. You have blessed me with your quiet wisdom. You have blessed me with a realistic and sensible view of life. You have blessed me with your unique sense of humor. And I thank God that He put you in my life.

I love you, big brother!

Your middle little sister,

Diane