Tribute to My Brother

This past Saturday was a momentous day for my brother, a slew of firsts being undertaken by a 22 year old college graduate.  It was moving day for him, with the assistance of his family, into his first apartment.  Not only is this the first time that he will be living entirely on his own sustaining himself entirely with his own money, but he will also be starting his first job today working with troubled youth.  Its been only 6 months since he graduated college and he managed to find himself a job, something that many college graduates these days seem to have trouble doing.  It struck me as I was driving the UHaul packed with his meager belongings that this was the quintessential culmination of his education up to this point.  My brother managed to complete his criminal justice degree in 4 years (after switching majors half way through) and unlike many youth these days who continue to live at home as long as possible, he is out on his own.  I can tell you this much, if I had to move out on my own at 22, I would have failed miserably and ended up back at my parents house.  To see him undertake such a leap from dependence to independence not only highlights the differences between us, but also serves as a testament to his tenacity and perseverance.  He may question his capabilities of living on his own, separated from friends and family, but I know deep down that if anyone can make it work, he can.  To say that I am proud of my brother would be to greatly understate my feelings. 

During the drive out to his new apartment, I was elated for my brother.  Not only was Saturday perhaps the best fall day we have had in terms of foliage and weather, but it signified a new beginning for my brother, and new stage of his life.  I thought back many times to my brother when he was younger and all the times that I wasn't there for him.  Part of it had to do with the fact that we are 7 years apart and when it came down to participating in each other's lives, my brother had no option but to be dragged along to my games, plays, and concerts, while I chose many times to be absent, to do my own thing and be with my friends.  At the time, I didn't value our relationship as I do now.  Since my brother has gotten older and I have re-aligned my views, I felt that I have begun to take more interest in what he is doing and to simply be there for him when he needs help.  So when he asked for help moving to his new apartment, there was no way I was going to say no.  After all, he is the only brother I have and while I might have once pushed him away, I now seek to draw us closer.  Will I still give him a hard time and play the role of the typical ornery older brother?  Absolutely, but I try and minimize those instances because I feel that it does nothing to bring us closer together, mostly it only serves to drive a wedge between us.  But back to my brother instead of me.

I know that he can make this new job work for him and I know that he will also do the best that he can at this job.  For him to have found a job in this economy is amazing, but if anyone could do it, he could.  He never sat around loathing his minimal prospects at finding a job, he just found one, simple as that.  When one job fell through, he moved on and searched for another.  (If anyone out there is still looking for a job, talk to my brother about perseverance.)   My only hope now is that my brother stays true to himself.  I know he will because he has never strayed before from his true self, but being out by yourself is a whole new experience.  Before I left his apartment on Saturday, I made he knew that if he needed anything at all to simply let me know.  I may not be able to help out much, but if I can simply offer words of encouragement and support, than that is what I will do.  I want to see my brother succeed as much as he does himself.  He is nervous and a little overwhelmed right now, but things will fall into place as long as he takes life one day at a time.  So to my brother, my one and only, congratulations and here's to you!!