We don't typically make it a point to see each other during the day, because as luck would have it, he travels all.of.the.time. You see, my little brother is a traveling engineer and has accepted an offer to move for his job. He'll be the newest resident of Kentucky in a mere 5-10 hours. I've known that he'd be on his way out for about a year, but every time a move opportunity would arise, he'd be delayed. I guess because of this, I'd not really prepared myself for the fact that it was REALLY happening this time around.
We sat and chatted about his new endeavor, what he feared, what he expected, what he'd do, not knowing a soul. We discussed how to cook dinner for one, the best way to set up furniture and where he'd go to get his necessities. As we used up his hour of lunch, I sat and came to the realization, my little brother is growing up.
Call me a mush, a sap, whatever you wish, but what a proud big-sister moment. The (big/tall) rail of a kid that used to follow me around at softball games, used to race dirt go-carts with me in the back yard, used to ride with me to Forbush, used to swim with me at East Bend pool, used to play video games until the wee hours of the night, who tailgated with me before Brad Paisley, who spent a beach week with me at Oak Island, helped Cruz and I move into our new home and whose stuck with me when times have been difficult, is growing up.
I tear up now, because I hope he knows what his loyalty and friendship mean to me. Although its only 5 hours away, it's not just a 15 minute drive down Flint Hill Rd. There won't be any more impromptu lunches at Panera, but maybe we can Skype over a crock-pot dinner. He's planning to come with us to the beach this summer, and of course he'll be around for our wedding. I hear the scenery out there is beautiful, so maybe I can make a trip out to visit Kentucky for a long weekend?
So, here's to you, Bobby. I am proud of you, your accomplishments and your hard work. I leave you with a quote from Dr. Suess, which I've used with my 5th graders many times as they've made their way on to middle school:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Kid, you'll move mountains!"
Go move your mountain. I love you.
