My subject is not about me or my children, its about my brother. Chuck. Chuck is a good guy. He was brought up in a home with a mother and 3 sisters and I think I took the place for a while of his "brother" because I was a tomboy at heart. We did not have a great male role model but we did have a decent one. My step-dad, whom I always have and will call Daddy, didn't teach us a lot but I think he did teach my brother to take care of home. Well, he did take care of his home and he found out it was not enough. I used to sit in awe of the things I would hear that he tried to do and I couldn't for the life of me think of a single reason why a woman would not want to have a dude like him. But we all know, you don't appreciate what you have till its gone.
He endured a lot and I believe once he got tired then he was done. Most of us are that way. We know when to say when. Well, he got past that difficult time and I pray that in the midst of his troubles, he learned something and he gain a sense of peace, faith and patience. I believe he did because this August he was given a do-over. He gets the privilege of doing a couple of things; 1) choosing someone who shares his values and 2) truly getting to love someone and getting that love back unconditionally. I heard his wife talk about him in a way that I haven't heard anyone speak of my brother before. I could feel her love for him and I knew it was true.
She brings out the best in him and not the worst. She understands and appreciates the value of family and accepting them and their flaws as well as their gifts. She is educated and she can hold her own in a conversation with strangers. I liked her from the day I met her and she said the one thing to me that I knew she would love him forever, "I cannot imagine my life without him." Another statement I have never heard anyone speak about my brother. And after all of the above, she stood by him when I think was the hardest time of his adult life and I know a lesser woman would have said, "Holla!" She didn't, she took it with him. I am pretty sure she saw him hurt, angry, frustrated and disgusted but in the end, she was standing right there with a look on her face that said her love hadn't wavered a bit. There are not many people that can say they have a person like that in their corner.
I know we both have had our "do-over" and like him, I don't take for granted that unconditional love that a person gives. They can't give money, fame or fortune. They can only give their love, no hidden agenda, just love. It is the best blessing a person can receive. I wish them the best and I know they are blessed.
