Today is my big brother's birthday and this is something of a dilemma for me.  You see, I'd like to dedicate a post to him and let you all in on a little secret (namely that my brother is all kinds of awesome) but unlike me, my brother likes his privacy.  In fact, I can assure you that he would be horrified to know that he was even casually mentioned in Friday's post. An entire post all about him? I think he might disown me.

I could take the easy way out and just post a picture of the two of us but Holy Hell people - the only picture I seem to have of me and my brother is from my 30th birthday party which was almost five whole years ago. What the hell me? (Note to self: you need a picture of you and your brother before March 14th, 2011.)

Here's what you need to know about my big brother: He wasn't the kind of older brother to buy me beer or sneak me into R-Rated movies. He didn't teach me how to smoke. He didn't set me up on dates with his friends and we certainly didn't do a whole lot of socializing together.  But it's not because he didn't love me and didn't care. No. Just the opposite. 

My brother opted to be a role model. To be a guardian. I had plenty of friends to fuck around with and get into trouble with and he knew it. He was there to help me out of the trouble I occasionally got into, and to try and provide some wisdom on avoiding said trouble in the future. 

And while at almost 35 I don't really get into too much trouble anymore, my big brother is still there for me. A guardian. Looking out for me. Keeping watch. A steady hand on my shoulder when I stumble.

So while my temporarily thrusting him into the spotlight may drive him to disown me, it's only because I care. Really.

Happy Birthday Big Brother! I am proud to be your sister.

xoxo Rougie