Friday, July 18, 2008

Brothers

Youth is wasted on the young.

I remember hearing "If I could go back knowing what I know now" as a child and thinking - boy that is a dumb statement!

Of course I thought it was dumb. I did not yet know the "what I know now" part, then. Did you follow that? Someday, David will say that too about how he treated his little brother Caleb.

Today I am watching the boys interact as brothers. I wonder if David will remember when he is an adult how merciless he sometimes is to Caleb. In the same moment of David being incredibly unkind to Caleb he will walk over to Nathan and delight in him, play with him and have such compassion for him.

I am such a sucker for the underdog. I need to keep myself in check constantly so as to not always take Caleb's side. I just feel for the kid. Poor middle child.

Today, David had a friend over for a play date. Caleb was experiencing his first "you are not part of this club" letdown. David is yelling at him "Go away, I need some space from YOU!"

Caleb's reply just about melts me into a puddle. He says thru tear filled eyes:"But, But, But I don't want to give you space - you're my best friend!"

Now I know someday David will see the value in having brothers, but that day isn't today. (of course someday David will also regret picking on Caleb, especially once Caleb is bigger than him) That day will come sooner than he thinks!

They did eventually allow the "little brother" into their club and Caleb and David ended the day as "Friends".