Wednesday, March 18, 2009

He's My Brother

“You take care of your younger brother. Don’t let him cry so loud. We don’t have enough money for the surgery,” my Mother reminded me once again before she goes to work.

He was born with hernia. It became apparent when he was few week-old.

One morning, he never stopped crying. I panicked. I tried so hard to entertain him and stop him from crying. My Mother is still at the office. She will be home in 2 hours. Maybe he will stop crying by then. It was the first time I saw him cried that hard. I was nervous seeing the reddish contents bulging out on his lower torso. He was only 4 months. At that very moment, I thought he really needs the surgery. He’s in pain.

My Mom arrived after 30 minutes. I let my younger sister go to her office and report the sad news. We rushed him to the hospital. My Mom was crying. I know he’s in deep pain. I was so terrified to lose my baby brother.

“Shhh…don’t cry now. You’ll be fine. The Doctors will help you,” my Mother gave him a reassuring smile. As if he understood, he stopped crying. He behaved as what my Mother told him like a grown up. We were all so impressed of him. He’s only 4 month-old!

The surgery came out very successful and most importantly, it was free. The well-respected surgeons happened to visit the hospital in the island for charitable works. Fortunately, my Mom had her Medicare cover all the other expenses.

He grew up to be a responsible, smart kid. One time, he came home fuming and looking for knives. “I’m going to kill all of you!” he screamed. We were so shocked. Who are your enemies? We almost shouted in chorus.

“It’s your fault Ma” he exclaimed. “You kept telling me not to play so hard ever since I was a kid. It’s not good to my health. Now that I don’t engage myself to outdoor sports, you’re all calling me gay!” he continued on.

Ah, you just don’t know how bad we felt at that time. My Mother can’t even recall those words and didn’t realize he took it so seriously.

Well, my brothers are baby no more. It’s a good feeling to see them grow and define their own selves. They’re all in college now. His brothers (older & younger) would love to call him their “baby-sitter”, lol! He’s not like them who would invite friends for a drinking session while watching basketball on TV. He helped them with their school projects. I trusted him the money for all their expenses. I don’t even smell any sibling rivalry between them. Basically, he gained some respect for being so responsible.

How time flies! Here they are 10 years ago.
And now, they're way bigger than me, hehehe... Do I sound like a Mom? haha!


Shawie

12 Grateful Heart's Words:

Lainy said...

It's so good to reminisce, Sis. You must be missing them so much!

BTW Sis, thanks for dropping off a very valuable comment at my blog. It sure is a moral booster.

And of course! I would love it if you can join the fun and share your own blogging tale. I have always been a "fan" of yours, hehe! I will be looking forward for your submission of entry...

CHEERS!

Hugs,
LAINY

Anonymous said...

it just seems like you're the youngest in the pic.hehe!

nice tribute to your siblings. you're a sweet sis sha.

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

they are so lucky to have you as a sister, and of course, it's always good to know that we can trust a member of our family with the money especially that we are too far from them.
btw, I have Award/Tag for you

Duni said...

That must have been a frightening experience for you as a child. But then you are such a caring and responsible person...he's lucky to have you as a sister!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Shawie,
You are a wonderful daughter, a wonderful sister and a wonderful mother and wife. That is the reason why you are blessed by the Lord. Keep on helping those you can help and see God's windows of blessings open wide for you. Thanks for the feel good post. God bless you always.

Alicia said...

What a good sister you are. You seem like such a ray of sunshine to be around :)

Debbie Petras said...

You are such a good sister. You obviously love your siblings very much. Love the photos of them when they were little and now grown up. I'm glad your brother is healthy too.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sha. My siblings are taller and bigger than me too :)

Jackie said...

Shawie how very lucky they are to have you as their sister.

They are as handsome as you are beautiful.

I am so glad you shared these pictures with us.

Oh goodness forgive me for not being around for a couple of days.

But, I am trying to actually give Walter some quality time at home.

So I have not been on the computer very much at all.

You are such a blessing to so many. I am so grateful I found you!!

Hugs,
Jackie:-)

Meryl (proud pinay) said...

hi shawie,
halos parang magkaka age lang kayo ^_^

Anonymous said...

You are such a good sister.

Sandi said...

all grown up! Such a good looking family too. :)