Little Brothers

Daily Gratitude Year 10 - Day 113: Today, I am grateful for little brothers.

The best gift Mama ever received for her birthday was a son... a day late in true Mama fashion, at least that is what Dad used to say. Matthew arrived to complete our family of five and life was never the same. I can't imagine growing up without him. Today, we celebrate Matthew as he celebrates the completion of another trip around the sun! 

I married a little brother, too. Note, I do not say "the baby". They are the youngest, but not babies. It seems to be a consensus amongst younger siblings that they prefer the title of "youngest". Our own "youngest" was a gift when he completed our family. Chase waited a long time for a little brother, and Walker did not disappoint. 

Marc Brown once wrote, "Sometimes, being a brother is even better than being a superhero." in his "Arthur" series. I've always loved that quote. 

Jesus had little brothers, too.

“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?  And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” -Matthew 13:54b-56

I cannot imagine what it was like to be a sibling to Jesus during his days on earth! He had at least six. Siblings make all of four other relationships richer. We learn about life, shared spaces, compromise, shared joys and divided sorrows with our siblings. 

Brothers teach us about guy things. Males and females have some definite differences in communication patterns. Research shows that women typically use many more words in a day than their male counterparts. Someone put it very succinctly... men run out of their "words for the day" when women are just getting warmed up. I think there is truth in that statement. 

Some of my favorite little brother moments involve a sunrise and a pot of coffee. It can be on a beach, a sunporch or at the kitchen table. 

I am grateful for the many colors our brothers add to the tapestry of our lives. Life would be much duller without them.

Today, I am grateful for little brothers.