Best Buddies...

I’ve talked before about how I wondered how Michael would react to becoming a big brother. He was for all our “baby” for a whole 21 months before being booted to a new role of middle child. Jarrett and I were very careful with both boys about the transition when we welcomed Isabelle into our lives. And even though from the very beginning the boys wanted, asked, and even pleaded for a baby sister, we were mindful that to them that they felt just as important and loved as they were from day one. In talking with Michael about becoming a big brother, we stressed to him how he would now get a turn to be a leader, to be the role model, to be the helper that Gabriel had always been to him. Michael was now getting to be in that role with his little sister.

Watching Michael fall in love with his baby sister has made my swelling heart hurt inside my chest as it overflows with so much love. Michael has not only taken on his “role” with a lot of pride and ownership, but it is the other things he does to care for, to watch over, to protect that make me know he will always be there for his sister. Together Michael and Isabelle are best buddies. In those moments when Mom needs to prepare dinner, change the load of watch, etc, Michael is the first one to volunteer, “I can play with Isabelle Mom” even though I’m only a room a way. It is when Michael stands behind, on the side, even in front of Isabelle as she learns how to take her first steps. He doesn’t mind being the human pillow to catch her wobbly stumbles. It’s the moments when he tries to teach her how to give kisses and instead ends up with a huge bite mark on his nose. He didn’t even complain even though he said, “Mom the kids at school will probably laugh at my nose since it looks funny from Isabelle’s bite.” And it’s the weekend morning moments when the house is all quiet as Isabelle sleeps, that he walks up to my side and whispers, “Mom- when is Isabelle going to wake up from nap? I want to play with her.” And that is how I know they are brother and sister. Not connected genetically by the cells in their body but connected by so much more. Connected by heart-strings of love, of pure, wholesome love.

And it isn’t just Michael that is connected at the hip with his sister, this love street goes two ways. It is those moments as Isabelle catches a glimpse of her brother at the after school program and takes off racing as fast as she can to the other side of the room to greet him with outstretched arms. It is the innocent and sweet smiles of pure joy when playing blocks together and getting one into the square hole perfectly. It is the big girl attitude Isabelle has as she get to ride in the Jeep-Car with her big brother when he drives along at a speed slow enough and safe enough for her.

 

 

  And it’s the moments like yesterday afternoon when Isabelle catches a flower blowing in the wind and walks to her brother to show him what she’s found. And no matter what game, ball or big boy activity Michael may have been playing, it is stopped and time stands still as together they investigate the flowers in the crack along the road.

It is love. A special bond between two people that were brought into each other’s lives in a plan so perfectly orchestrated, I can only gives thanks to the man running the show above.

 

Until next time,

Angie