Brothers

Today they've made a tent out of blankets. They've wrestled, tickled, raced and watched in wonder as the yellow bulldozer and other heavy equipment repaired a nearby road.

"It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea." -Jean Baptiste Legouve

By night they share a room, sleep stacked, Gabe on the top bunk, Isaac on the bottom. We hear them laughing, telling stories, bonding as they try very hard to do anything but fall asleep.

"Never make a companion equal to a brother." -Hesiod

Mornings they are snuggled side by side on the couch watching Curious George, each with their cereal and cup of milk. They don't seem to mind a random foot in their space or sharing a  blanket, a sleepy head on the other's shoulder. 

"Help your brother's boat across, and your own will reach the shore" -Hindu Proverb

Today was Gabe's last day of school. He was all smiles as he showed big brother around. We were on his turf and he knew it. The proud smile he could hardly contain as he pointed out each station and gave us the tour. It was especially sweet to watch Isaac pass the I know my stuff baton on to his little brother. This time the big brother listened intently as the little brother gave direction.

"When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life." -Antisthenes

I look forward to watching this brother thing unfold. To watch their bond deepen...and someday I will sit back and listen to their stories, their memories of this blessed snipet of time.

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply..." -Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

There's more to say for their bond is strong. I love that.

XOXO,
Angie