Ethan is graduating…

My baby brother is graduating from college on Monday. His BFA thesis film – PLASTIC is finished. All that he has left to complete is one class and his internship this summer. So basically he is “walking” at the graduation ceremony. However, my brother is graduating. He will have a BFA degree just like his sister. And he won an award from school. The awards ceremony is Sunday!

I am so proud of my brother I could plotz (burst). He really has grown into a wonderful person/ man. He is UBER talented, brilliant, compassionate, kind, gentle, funny, intelligent, sensitive, and very laid back. I am so glad we are as close as we are. Our relationship has had strains over the years – but we worked/ pushed through and I am grateful every day that my brother forgave me for the things I did. He could truly hate me – but he doesn’t. I am so lucky. He is my friend and my brother. We have great times together and have been through horrible things together. We have each other’s back - always and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for him. I protect my own. He is the same way about me. I couldn’t be more proud of him and the person he has become.

I remember the day he was born – January 23, 1985. I was almost 5. I was so excited. Mom knew she was having a boy. I was so excited. GG asked me what I wanted for my big sister present – I wanted a Rainbow Brite Doll. The morning he was born – I woke up around 5 am and the light was on in the kitchen, which was weird. I went into my parents room and they weren’t there – I panicked a little and went into the kitchen – Peggy was in there. Mom and Dad had gone to the hospital. I spent the morning at Peggy’s house. Played with her kids and dog. The Au Pair at Peggy’s house made French toast for breakfast. Ellen and Steve picked me up in their Cadillac in the early afternoon to take me to the hospital. They gave me a thing of conversation hearts. We go to the hospital. The first person I saw as I was walking into the hospital room was GG!!!! Grandpa was there too. Mom was in bed and dad was there. Oma and Opa were flying in from Florida the following day. GG gave me my Rainbow Brite Doll. She could make things happen. I was so excited. I was getting fussed over. Then I met Ethan. I knew he was a person & not a doll. But it was weird. And he was the biggest living little person I had ever seen. He was 10 lbs 5 oz and 22 inches long. He was all head and shoulders. He got stuck and tore through mom and well I think she got sick and turned a little green and maybe a bit of shock set in… Dad thought she was going to die. Mom pulled through – but dad held Ethan first. I got to hold Ethan that day. Dad had me sit in a chair and put Ethan in my lap. I loved him instantly. He was mine!!!!! He isn’t my son. But he is my baby brother. What I did he wanted to do… he was like my little sidekick and although at times I found him irritating – I wouldn’t want it to have been any different.

I just can’t believe he is graduating. I feel old amongst other things. It is very bizarre. How did we get to this moment? Everything we have gone through. WOW!!!! Life just happens and well – I am glad I am around and healthy to see it. I am proud to be the kind of sister Ethan deserves to have and I know he is proud of me. I am also glad that Grandpa is around to see Ethan graduate – he and Uncle Lenny are coming up on Friday.