Today is Brandon's birthday and I admit... I'm really sentimental and have been struggling with my emotions the last few days. When I gave birth to him 22 years ago, I wasn't sure how you loved a second child when you loved the first one so much, but then I found out that your love just mulitiplies, and you find that you can't imagine life without the second child! He was a sweetheart of a baby but didn't stay a baby for long! He started walking when he was 8 months old and toddler time began! He had (has) a really strong will, so the things that worked with Jeremy didn't always work as well with him... a couple years ago he asked me why we didn't make him do things like we did Jeremy... we tried! Oh, did we try! It was hard!
In spite of that he was my buddy... from having tea parties when he was really little, to shopping, to traveling... we had some great adventures!
We had two fabulous trips to Italy (this is on the island of Burano near Venice) that I will always cherish! He was always so brave (maybe the word is crazy or daring)... jumping off the highest half-pipe on his skateboard or trick bike, trying any crazy trick... but never getting injured. I just let him go... let him fly! Now it's time to do that again. Is it any wonder that he is a soldier medic, out on missions to defend our country and the Iraqi people? I'm so proud of him.
Today God gave him a special blessing! He was sent to Alicia's post on an errand with some other soldiers, so they got to see each other for a couple hours. I know it meant a lot to him (and to her!) I haven't talked to him yet today... he's on his way back to his post (about 80 miles.)
Alicia posted this picture on Facebook of the two of them today. Aren't they adorable?!! I'm so glad they can understand what each other is going through and encourage each other.
I could use one of his strong hugs today.
