Because Brother Told Me So

Well, my little brother told me that I needed to write a blog all about him, so here you go Sam, I'm writing about you.

Just maybe not exactly what you had in mind though...

Don't click on the X button quite yet there though. This is something I think everyone could relate to. It may be hard to hear but its something that needs to be said.

My brother is at a important moment in his life. High school will soon come to an end and the rest of his life begins. Four years ago, I was in the same position. I'm in that type of situation right now with college ending for me soon. It's scary to think about the future, which I think has made him not want to.

Today, at his hockey game, my brother got into a fight. And not just a typical fight...I mean, he came in swinging at a kid with punches. Normally, I would cheer for him when he stood up for himself in a game, but this went too far. He claims he was defending his teammate but this just wasn't the way to go about it. Sorry Sam, it wasn't. You may roll your eyes at mom and I, but believe it or not, you took it too far. And to be honest, recently, you've taken a lot of things too far.

It seems like teenagers have so much attitude today. I know, I know, pot calling the kettle black. Trust me, I was no angel. I could cuss like a sailor and have an attitude to match. I never had the anger I see today. My brother, he's angry at everything. He doesn't care about anything. Honestly....I worry about him.

He believes I don't want him to succeed and I don't care where he goes in life...he's absolutely wrong. Not that he would believe that....

I was the middle child. Equal years apart from both my younger and older sibling. Growing up, I've have to say, I was the one who supported the others the most. I have been to practically all my siblings sports games over the years. Even when I went to college, I tried to make it to as many games of my brothers as possible. I took pictures of him, made team videos, and will prepare not only his grad party invites, but his grad party video as well. Hours of work, but worth it for him. I have and always have been both of their #1 fans. Looking back though...neither of my siblings ever came to my stuff. Like ever. Sorry guys, you didn't.

So, back on track, I think my brother thinks everyone is just out to get him. We're not. I've noticed over the past few months, he's just gotten so resistant to anyone and everyone, maybe except him friends. I know, that's being a teenager, but this is different. It's like he doesn't even care about what's ahead. He tries to excuse himself by just saying he's not as smart as Kristi or I, but that's not true. We applied ourselves to succeed, and if he did too, he could...no WOULD succeed. I want him to. I just want him to realize that when we are telling him something, we're not doing it to be jerks.

So today, I was disappointed. It's one thing to stand up for a friend....it's another to turn a simple situation into a brawl because you can. Life isn't a hockey game...you don't just get a 2:00 penalty, you get 2 years jail. High school may be fun and all, but it's time to grow up. We all have to do it. I'll be here to support you, just don't push me away. I may not be your favorite sister (that belongs to the other one. lol), but I am the one who's been there for you every step of the way, even if your memory doesn't quite remember that. I hope you're reading this and realize that yes, we may yell at you sometimes, but we're not evil or just picking on you. I know you can do more for yourself, and I just want to see that. Believe in yourself like I believe in you. I don't give you excuses, I never have and never will, but I always believe in you.

Don't be that guy that was out on the ice tonight. Be better than that. I know you can. The puck is in your zone...what are you going to do with it?