Just last week they were at each other’s throats. Fighting and picking on each other. Sometimes wrestling and laughing, sometimes wrestling and cursing at each other. There are times I just want to pull my hair out when the two of them are at it. But then there are times like today when one of them lost a favorite pet and the other just wants to make sure his brother is ok.
Each day they ride to school together and every night they go to their room and keep each other up with conversation. That room has heard a lot of brotherly conversation over the past 40 years, as it was the same room their father and his brother also shared. Boy, to be a fly on the wall of that room. To hear the conversations between brothers; I can imagine at times it would be out of control hysterical and at other times gut wrenching. Most of the time, I imagine it to be two brothers sharing their day and giving what might be at times wanted and unwanted advice.
When I was growing up brothers hugging each other and telling each other they loved one another was unheard of. Let alone a father and a son hug each other. In our home LOVE is always encouraged. Hugs are always welcomed and support of one another is a given.
So as I sit on the couch and watch my youngest sit close to his older brother it brings tears to my eyes, but great Joy to my heart. Joey could have chosen to sit in another chair in the room, but instead he chose to sit next to his brother, whom he knew was in pain. No words are said between the two. Just casual talk and a little bit of TV, but a true kinship, a brotherhood, a love for one another is shared between them.
As they grow older the fights and disagreements will become more intense and I am sure the conversations they have late at night will be more reflective of the choices they are making in their lives. Each one of them is coming into their own. My boys are growing up, and moving forward; but always loving along the way. They will experience more hurt and new love. They will face challenges and hard decisions. They will get married and have children (hopefully). Together, through it all, they will have each other.
If I should pass tomorrow I would have comfort in knowing my sons are devoted to one another in brotherly love and in the best way they know how, they honor one another above themselves. (Romans 12:10)
Luv, Luv,
Julie
