The image I have used here really should show a little girl counseling a baby brother as I am the elder of my siblings but the thought it conveys fits what this page  is all about. Plus.. I really did want to use the image as it speaks volumes about love, siblings, and family.

No one is ever born into Life alone. Everyone has shared the bond of family, at least at birth, and for most people it is a bond that will follow them throughout life. For many people it is the most important bond of all.  Even in today's too busy world where we never seem to have enough time the one constant is family. Too often we forget that and we are infinitely poorer because of the failure to recognize this fact.

The bond with our siblings is unbreakable. Through disagreements, distance, or disappointments,  the reality remains that in times of crisis or pain the ones we  can depend on to be there when needed  despite misunderstandings or time are those with whom we have shared a lifetime of memories.

To the rest of the world we all grow old.  But not to brothers and sisters.  We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family grief and joys.  We live outside the touch of time.  As the years go by we may be miles apart in geography but when needed most we are always there for one another. To laugh, to cry, to complain or to celebrate, but never alone. And always with memories of  the past to keep us young.

 No matter what life brings, nothing can ever erase the memories we share. One needs at times to stop and recognize this because as years pass the time grows shorter when we can reminisce together. About happy times and sad times as well. Funny thing is, even the bad times take on an aura which can bring a smile or a chuckle. What was catastrophe when we were young becomes humourous in retrospect as we share memories of those times.

It helps when you have an amazing brother who sees the humour in everything and can make you laugh when no one else possibly could, and at times when you might otherwise be in tears. One of the greatest gifts of my life has been my brother. We have lived many miles apart for many years but he is as near as my heart always. Just thinking of my brother brings a smile to my face as I remember all those times as children when he made me so darn angry I wanted to slug him. He could get into more mischief than any one I knew and so often he even embarrassed the heck out of me as being his older sister meant I was supposed to be more mature. I hasten to add, the operative phrase there is definitely "supposed to be" .. not always the case if the  truth be told.

 My first meeting with my brother is a whole other story. A story my Grandmother relished and loved to tell me in later years. I was two when he was born and from the sound of things already a feisty little brat. In those days babies were born at home and in this case, Mommy had decided this would be at my Grandmother's home. The morning after he arrived I was ceremoniously taken into my mother's room to meet this new little wonder. As it happened Mommy was nursing the wee babe when we entered the room and I took one look, ran over to the bed and hauled off and slapped the baby across the face before anyone realized what I was going to do.. screaming at him .. " You stop biting MY Mommy ! " And the slap was hard enough that the imprint of my hand was left on his tiny cheek. I think maybe he was getting even with me for years after that assault. 

 He did forgive me in time I think because there was an occasion  when I was about six years old when I was having a squabble with a neighbourhood playmate. He decided I needed defending and he hauled off and punched her right in the eye. He packed a good wallop .. she ended up with a beautiful black eye.  And we both ended up with very warm bottoms. And a lifelong protective attitude toward one another.

These are only two anecdotes but ones which have brought many chuckles through the years. There were too many others to list here but they all remain wonderful loving memories I wouldn't give up for anything, not even excluding the time I had to pull him by the heels out from under the school front steps ... the reason for this I will leave to your imagination. 

 His life has never been easy. He has faced more than his share of adversity, has always had to struggle, and has worked hard every day of his adult life, even up to and including today. Nothing has ever come easily for him. But he never complains, never stops fighting, always sees the positives, and has a wonderful wife and family he adores and who return the sentiment a thousand fold. You would have to search long and hard to find anyone who didn't enjoy knowing him. If truth be known he is the richest person I know.  And having him as my brother has enriched my life more than I could ever possibly express in mere words. 

Too often we don't take the time to tell those we love how much they mean to us, taking for granted that they know this without our saying so, but please do take the time to put it into words.  Life is short. And we are all growing older. Don't wait until its too late. Nothing is sadder than not taking the time to say those few simple words and looking back after the fact with regret. Or leaving without having taken the time to let that loved one know how much they mean to you.

 In my case, I have never had a better friend and ally  and I love you my "little" brother more than you can even imagine. It's been a  journey I would not have missed sharing with you for all the riches on earth even though at times the bumps in the road have been enormous for both of us. Thank you for all you have given me through the years, and thank you for never failing to be on my side when it counted. I take back that slap. You go ahead and bite anyone you feel like biting ! I'll always be standing by cheering you on. Now and forever.