Big Brother's Birthday

Tomorrow is my big brother's birthday.  He will be 60 years old.  How did that happen?  I don't really believe it's true, because if he is 60, then I am almost 59.  Our younger brother got very sick as a baby which left him brain damaged; mentally and physically delayed, what we refer to now a a "special needs" child.  So he did not grow up with us in the traditional childhood way. It was pretty much just the two of us.  My brother, Max, and I fought a lot growing up.  I was really a bratty little sister (but I made up for it as an adult:)  We had some challenges in our relationship as adults, as most siblings do.  But he is my family and all I have left of our "family of origin."  I've loved him longer than anyone else on earth; even my husband and my children.  We lost our mother when she was only 58.  She was the best mother and grandmother ever!  Watching her die was by far, and still is, the most difficult trial of my life.  We survived (barely) our dad remarrying and later divorcing.  Then in 2002-2003 we unexpectantly lost our brother, our father, and Max's wife all in 8 months; 3 huge losses.  It was a difficult time, but even more for him than me. I remember grieving so much but knowing that he was grieving even more and wishing there was some way I could relieve his pain.  If there was a way I could have taken some of his to lessen his burden, I would have.  But all I could do was be there and love him.  He has a wonderful girlfriend now, someone I couldn't have hand picked any better for him.  I do take some credit for that relationship since I prodded him through that whole online dating scene.  But it worked!  I know he is happy, and that makes me happy. They share the love of baseball; what more could a relationship need, right?  He has two children, my only niece and nephew, and four grandchildren (and a son-in-law and daughter-in-law).  I love all of them so much!  And he loves my daughters! There is no one who shares with me my childhood memories with our family, except my brother.  He knows how my mom's homemade strawberry shortcake and fried chicken smelled and tasted. (And our children and my husband do too!!)  No one else knows what it was like to have a brother who always stayed a baby, our baby.  No one else remembers endless Saturdays at Little League games and playing till dark in our neighborhood in Norwalk.  No one else remembers our Grandpa's family Christmas parties or what it was like to move away from our school and friends at 13 and 14 years old, and start a new school with the last name of "Hickey."  The memories go on, and continue on.  We have continued my parents tradition of Christmas with our children and his (and my someday) grandchildren.  It's our way of keeping our parents alive in our hearts and homes.  Tomorrow is my big brother's birthday.  The best big brother.  I love you big brother.  Happy 60th.