At some point in my childhood, I acquired a pink t-shirt that reads, "I'm The Big Sister" in a very outrageous font and color scheme. Kind of looked like graffiti. But, no, I know what you're thinking -- not THAT much like graffiti. Not like the kind of graffiti shirts you'd get at Six Flags. Although, if I know my family well enough, I'm going to assume this shirt was purchased during a vacation to Branson, Missouri. . . there was this gift shop at the entrance / exit [it took me years how brilliantly I was being marketed to with that shop's location] [and similarly, it's taking years for Branson to realize that - these days - "location, location, location" still matters . . . just ALSO includes web real estate . . . but I digress] at one of the Six Flags-esque themed parks we'd always go to. The store reminded me of a mix between what I assume LEGO LAND feels like and what I know Crate & Barrel feels like. So maybe that helps explain the shirt?
But the shirt design isn't really the point. The point, I guess, is that I remember being very proud to wear that shirt. Later it became a shirt I wore just to annoy my brother, Donnie, when he started his freshman year of high school at Saint Charles West . . . the year I was a SENIOR and used every ounce of power I had as Student Council President [which wasn't much] to embarrass him. Ha. I think the first assembly he attended may have been the worst. Back then, he wasn't the kind of kid who loved being introduced to a crowd of 400+ peers. He's since moved past that quasi-shyness and is far better in front of a crowd than I could ever be.
Aw, sheesh, now that I've mentioned Donnie . . . and since the point of this post is about Neal . . . I've got to write about Steven. But in effort to keep this short - how 'bout I just promise Steven a full blog post to himself at some point, aye? I'm sure he won't mind. The whole motivation for writing this morning is to recall that same pride. Not the "hey, let's embarrass my lil' bro pride," but the "hey, I'm proud of you and proud to be associated with you" pride. And that's how I felt when my dad emailed me these pictures / messages over the past month . . .
"Neal's going to the State Finals brick-laying competition. Representing the whole area!"
"Guess who was just awarded the Lewis & Clark Technical College Student of the Year for his class!?"
"Neal's shirt design sales & sponsorships raised $5,000* for Speed the Light, and he's going to speak to other churches about recommendations on how to fundraise."
So here's the thing, these awards and somewhat tangible "successes" are neat . . . but they don't even start to describe the great man I think my little brother is becoming. He's one of the most energizing, creative, fun people I know . . . and although he spends far too much time looking in the mirror / working out / and oh.my.god.TANNING. . . he's a super cool friend who I am so lucky to have as a brother. His mad skills will take him somewhere in life, but I think it's his truly deep care for others and radiating personality [usually] that will keep him growing. Way to go, Neal! I'm very proud of you, little brother :).
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