Day #194 in A Year of Thanks:
I’m thankful for being able to reconnect with my little brother.

I had planned to write about something that I’ve been ruminating on for the past couple of nights, but then I received a surprise text message from my younger maternal brother, Mike. Most of my brothers are the loner types, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also become a bit of a recluse, so I understand. To each their own, as long as they’re doing well. I’ve learned some exciting news, though, and I’m having a “proud sister” moment about it. I’ve known for a while that he’d gotten a job and moved down to Maryland, but he surprised me with other updates.

Everybody in the family knows that I’m one of the select few who have a massive collection of family pictures and documents, because they know I would safeguard them. Most people don’t really care for pictures, but Mike was asking about his, which is very unusual. He was asking me to send him a good mix of pictures of his whole life, and of course, I will. So, I started asking some questions, and learned that he’s in a relationship he’s been building for a while, and working hard for his future with a woman who is steadfast in her faith as a Christian, even to the point of marriage (now it makes sense why he was asking about his pictures, so he could share them with his lovely lady). He’s 100% committed to honoring all her Christian views, and on his own journey of faith, he’s working toward being able to move to North Carolina, where she is, and where they can start a beautiful, God-honoring life together.

I can remember when Mike was just a little baby, and everything we went through with Kristopher and Mama, finding our older brother, and everything else in between. Now, my kid brother, the only one I was blessed to grow up with, will soon turn 33, and he’s all grown up, getting ready to start his own life with a good woman. Grams and I can’t wait to meet her. We’re so excited. I always thought I would be the one to get married first, but it looks like my kid brother will make it to the altar first, and I’m going to be bawling my eyes out, because I’m so, so proud of the man he’s becoming.

Thank You, Abba!

Day 193 | Day 194 | Day 195
Year of Thanks