BROTHERS

A few weeks ago Connor stumbled up the stairs for breakfast before school.  As he sat there I could tell something just wasn't right.  I asked him how he slept and huge alligator tears formed in his eyes as he told me he had had a nightmare.  Between sobs he told me that in his dream Nathan had died, and then he quietly said, "life would suck without Nathan."

Since the minute Connor realized who Nathan was, Nathan was his hero.  Connor has always wanted to be just like Nathan, he has always thought Nathan was the very best at everything.  Connor loves Nathan's teams and his hobbies, his sports and his interests.  There have been so many times when they aren't getting along, or when Nathan is bugged by Connor, that I have told Nathan what a huge compliment and responsibility it is to have someone look up to him the way Connor does.

Nathan has been at camp the last two nights, and this morning I went down to wake Connor up and realized that every light in the basement was on.  I didn't need to ask why.  Nathan isn't here to protect Connor and Connor gets a little scared downstairs without his big brother.  It hit me that in two short years Nathan will be gone serving a mission.  What will Connor do then?  And then I quickly realized that once again, Nathan will be being the example that he always is to Connor.  Connor will look to him and want to follow.  I am so thankful for the big brother Nathan is.

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."

-Marc Brown