Happy Birthday to My Dearest Brother

Happy Birthday to My Dearest Brother

In our darkest times, we supported each other

finding solace in shared memories and

the indomitable spirit inherited from our parents

My dearest brother, stood tall and proud, walked me down the aisle

My dearest brother, today marks a day of your birthday, but it is also an opportunity for me to express my immense gratitude for the unwavering support, indubitable love, and faithful companionship you have provided me throughout the chapters of our lives, as I pen down this heartfelt birthday tribute to you, who has always been there for me, above and beyond during the toughest times life has thrown our way, when we faced the unimaginable loss of our remarkable mum so unexpectedly and so suddenly, while the true depth of our kinship became apparent

On this special occasion, as you add another candle to your birthday cake, I am obliged to reflect on the phenomenal journey we have shared, the astounding battles we have fought, and the countless times you stood by my side, as your baby sister growing up, I looked up to you, my hero, my big brother, with wide-eyed admiration and a sense of awe, your spirit, your courage, and the protective shield you gave me during our youthful escapades made you larger than life, and you were the brave one when challenges arose, whose footsteps I so aspired to follow

As with any close sibling relationship, ours was a kaleidoscope of shared laughter, heated arguments, and an unspoken understanding that ran so much deeper than any words, and we have weathered its fair share of storms, from the early days of sibling rivalry and playful tussles, to the teenage clashes of opinions and the nuanced intricacy of our adulthood, yes we have inexorably squabbled and locked horns, sometimes over those trivial matters, that punctuated our history, but the underlying closeness of the bond that ties us remains solid, intact, and infinite

As the years have passed, our roles have evolved, the little sibling, who once admired and respected you as my idol, has become a partner in facing all the trials and tribulations, our relationship has been anything but perfect, the disagreements, rather than driving us apart, have served as stepping stones for great appreciation of each other's perspectives, during which, you, my darling brother, who has been a constant presence, a pillar of strength, and an indispensable part of my entire existence, shaping the foundation of my comprehension of our sibling hood

Life took us on divergent paths, and scattered us across different corners of the world, but the resilience of our siblingship became evident during our darkest times, when we braved the abrupt departure of our precious mum, you, my terrific big brother, despite the physical distance, has been virtually by my side, every day, as the sun rises in my world and sets in yours, we connected through video chats, a medium by which we shared memories, tears, and the burden of loss, in those solemn moments, the distance dissolved, the fractures left by our grief pacified

In the aftermath of our shared loss, the true test came that threatened to engulf us, yet, our journey of joint grief has revealed a profound veracity, in supporting each other through the tumultuous waves of sorrow together, you are no longer just the older brother I worshipped but you have emerged to be my greatest trusted ally and confidant, my most reliable friend and champion, just as your voice of comfort and your words of encouragement, our mutual vulnerability and our shared pain created a unique connection, surpassing a typical brother and sister dynamic

As you embark on another year, a wholehearted thanks to you, thank you for your tireless efforts to hold me up in a world of change, for offering a steady hand in time of uncertainty, and for demonstrating that siblinghood is not just about shared DNA, but a commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin, so here is to celebrating you, my awesome big brother, my lifelong hero, not just on your birthday, but every day of this journey called life, and to the countless memories yet to be made, even miles apart, you have been indeed a priceless gift to me