An Ode To My Brother On His Birthday

My big brother and I.

There’s a photo of us, taken maybe when we were about four and six. My brother smiled at the camera, while I was distracted by something I couldn’t remember.

Today, June 9, is my big brother’s birthday, and he doesn’t know I’ve written something for him. I did ask permission though to post our childhood photo online and thankfully, he agreed without asking what’s it for.

That’s good. This’ll make it easier for me to write this. To say what I mean to that person this article is dedicated to, but who might never see this piece of work.

Growing up, we were inseparable. He was my reference point for almost everything. If he liked a game, I almost always liked it too. If he wanted a Beyblade or a Nintendo, it’s guaranteed I’d want one too.

I copied him because that’s what younger usually siblings do. But with him, it wasn’t just imitation. It was admiration.

Of course, we fought, but only about the small things. I remember getting angry because he beat me in a Yu-Gi-Oh! card game fairly. Another time, I was irritated because I felt he thought was better than me.

Looking back, it was always over something trivial, but that’s how close we were. Even in conflict, we were together.