Sunday Morning - “My Big Bro”
I feel many of us grow up thinking some things in life should be a certain way. For example; 2 parents, “x” amount of siblings, the right job, beautiful home, money in the bank, retirement plan, healthy spouse and children, insurance, growing old. But many of us have different experiences. We may have a different experience as adults than when we were kids, for better or worse. We may not have had one or more of these standards. Due to being different, some may feel less in some way not having what was considered the norm.
I just returned from Vegas where I had an amazing time celebrating my best friend’s birthday. I met my “Big Bro” in 1991 & we have been friends ever since. There were certain things growing up that my father and I did not see the same. This just seemed to increase, as I got older. In many ways we were the same and maybe why it was difficult at times, but I learned a lot about myself, how I worked and what type of people I would want in my life. Ever since I met him two things were apparent: I admired and respected him for his truth, consistency, effort and support. The other was that I was not alone. He had many people that he had affected in the same way. This past weekend I told him the same thing I tell him every time I hang out with him, I thank him for being my friend and being in my life and that no one does for me, what he has done for me the past 19 years.
What I had not received from my father, I received from a friend. Was it right, wrong good or bad? Doesn’t matter, it just is. Sometimes I feel we get the short end of the stick thinking or feeling life should be a certain way and when it is not, we start to feel less than or inadequate some way, or just bad about ourselves. I got a massage when I was in Vegas and ended up having a little power talk to the massage therapist (sometimes they just happen). At one point she said she had a little brother that she loved and cared about and worried because he didn’t have a male role model in his life. I told her many people have bad role models in their life. All any one needs, young or old, I feel, is to be genuinely loved unconditionally and supported, just like my big bro has done for me since I met him 19 years ago.
May you accept friendship, love and support from whoever gives it to you in your life. What we may have heard may not be the path we walk. But, we have the power to choose that path and the ones that walk it with us.
peace & God bless in two thousand & zen
- tjd
