I can't believe it. My little brother is celebrating his 39th today.... I really can't believe it. If he's 39 then that makes me.... crap.
As the older brother i always tried to look out for him and protect him when necessary. We don't have the same relationship a lot of brothers have. We didn't grow up fighting, getting into trouble or telling on each other. We were a team. We were Batman and Robin. Although we might be a little too old to fight crime with our beach towel capes I am pretty sure we could give it a good shot!
I'd like to share a few things I've learned from the little guy and some things i was proud to be to be there for. First though, if you don't know me (if you're reading this odds are you do.... but) my brother has down's syndrome and has been the single most powerful influence in my life, I can't speak for the rest of my large and loud family but i think they would all agree. The kid is charisma personified. You just can't help but love him.
He grew up in a time when ignorance ruled. People would walk by and stare or be afraid it might rub off..... Damn it..... As I type this I am getting more and more angry...... Well this is about how much my brother has meant to me all these years and it has nothing to do with me hunting down all those simple minded assholes and kicking the shit out of them. Even though they deserve it. Actually that takes me to one of the things I wish i had in common with my brother.
He does not care what you think. He treats EVERY single person nicely and politely and if for some reason they don't like him or are uncomfortable around him he just does what he does. He was having a good day before he met you and he will continue to, no matter what kind of downer you are. He couldn't be mean if he had to. He has never been accused of being an ass. His big brother on the other hand....
He was a pioneer. Many of the programs for special needs children including schooling, education, health and even things like the Special Olympics my brother was in the genesis of these things. I don't like being the first one in line at a roller coaster, let alone the first person to try something ever. He was a part of history and none of us even knew it. Maybe he did.
I love a good football game. I've always been very competitive. That being said, go to a Special Olympics sometime. It will change your life, I know it did mine. You have never seen "for the love of it" shown more clearly. It will also make you feel pretty petty and selfish about your life, which is a good thing too. You see these kids out there just loving what they are doing and helping each other. They are proud to win but it is clearly not the point. You see in them what you wish you could be.
My brother is not wishy washy in any way. If you ask him what he wants, he will tell you. Deciding what to eat or heaven forbid where to eat is an almost impossible task in my household of 2. It's a bunch of "well... what do you want?" "I don't know.... what are you feeling like?" for what seems like hours then you just give up and go to the damn drive-thru. Not my Bro. He tells you. Doesn't care what you want. He might want that too but there is no hesitation in his opinions. Wish i had a little more of that.
He is also hilarious. One of my favorite stories is him and my parents were in the car and he asks my mom to hold something. She does. It was dark so she couldn't see it. it was very small and unusual. She then asks what is it and where did it come from? He replied "it came from my nose" and then laughed for the rest of the trip. I still laugh about that one.
I don't really have the words to express how awesome or charming he is and I am getting a lot of people asking me if I'm ok. Apparently crying and typing in public is cause for some alarm!
He can bring you to tears, make you laugh or warm your heart in the blink of an eye. He has lived life on his terms with no regrets. He is my hero.
I may be taller but when it comes to life, you are Batman.
Your brother,
Robin
That is a great post!
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