Brotherly Bond

By Kyle Moriarty of Self Advocates Becoming Empowered

Having a sibling is tough and fascinating at times. Age differences can create challenges or make you unite. I have a brother that is two years older than me. We act a lot different but are so similar in character. My best friend is my brother, Kevin. Though things have changed, sometimes things that my very own mother couldn’t see from me, my brother could always pick up on. Having good times always was easy for my brother and I. It wasn’t always easy being the younger brother. My mother and father did good at treating us equal, but sometimes it got tough for me being the youngest and not being able to communicate with my family.

Teaching me how to stand up against people who discriminated or made fun of me was the first way Kevin made it clear he would be my protector in school. I think as my brother and not my parent, he just understood how I felt and what I was going through.

I think it was hard for me a lot of the time. I had to be watching from the sidelines while Kevin got to be involved in hockey and other sports. He did always try to include me though; I depended on him quite a lot. Before Kevin left for the service, he was really involved with me and my typing. Kevin always would come in my room and bring us snacks to share. It usually was popcorn and sodas. My very favorite time I remember with my brother was the summertime in our pool. We had really good times in the pool in the hot summer. Family barbeques and swimming were our favorite things to do.

I get lonely at home with Kevin being gone and in the army. It is only me now. Mom gets to be a little overwhelming with just me to pick at. I like being able to hear Kevin on the phone but the way we communicate is hard to do over the phone.

Some siblings are never close and some aren’t close until they become adults. We’ve always been close and though he is clear across the world, I hope to always have our brotherly bond.