It is hard to believe that the big-eyed little guy I met 14 years ago last month is 25 years old today.
As anyone who's ever lurked here knows, Little Bro Dan is my pride and joy.
While I wouldn't change a single thing or take back a single second of being Big Brother to my Dano, I would be lying if I said I don't miss the little guy who moondanced around the Mini-Putt doing his Robin Leach imitation ("Champagne wishes and caviar dreams...") that Wednesday night in July, 1993; the same little guy who would snuggle up next to me on the couch at the cottage while I was doing a crossword and try to help, or commandeer the puzzle ("What's a domestic feline pet, three letters, first two are C and A?"); or, while driving in the car one day, asked what would happen when he turned 16 and the Big Brother match officially ended ("It's just a number. You're not getting rid of me that easily," I replied. "Good," he said with obvious relief, "I was hoping you'd say something goofy like that.").
I could go on and on, and often do without much prompting.
The bottom line is that being a Big Brother is the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I am so proud of the young man Dano has become. To say I'm thankful that he is an integral part of my life would be a total understatement.Happy Birthday, Buddy. Your Big Brother loves and cherishes you.
6 comments:
I am sure you were and still are a great BIG BROTHER. I am even going to go as far as to say that even though he is 25 he still needs you and wants you to be a BIG part of his life. Just because we grow up does not mean we stop wanting people we admire and respect around us.
HEY DAN hope you have a splendid day I remember when I was 25... geeeeeeez now I feel old!
Happy Birthday, Dan.
You did a great job raisin' that crazy old man of yours.
Congrats to you both.
p.s. You kinda look like each other, too.
How'd you manage that one?
;-)
Almost eerie, isn't it?
People have always mistaken us for father and son. At first, Dan would correct them, but eventually gave up.
One time early in the match, we were at my parents' house and Dan told my Mom that he thought his Dad and I had a secret we hadn't shared. My poor Mom didn't know where he was going with that, and timidly asked what he meant. He told her that if she saw a picture of his dad, she would notice the similarities.
Because of some of the miracles I'm currently experiencing in my life, I believe that - had you been on opposite ends of the Earth - something would have brought you together to be friends for life...because at this point, I'm pretty sure you can't imagine what your life would have been like without him.
Exactly. Dan and I have talked about that. We both wish that what brought us together had never happened (his dad dying on the job when Dan was 6; he was a paramedic who died when an air ambulance crashed), but we're both pretty sure we would have met somehow, and been great friends.
Have you ever read Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet In Heaven"? If I can convince myself that there's life after death and a Heaven, Don (Dano's dad) is one of my five.
You read the book too ? How nice ..one of my fav reads . I believe every single person who crosses our path is meant for a definite reason . Big Brothers and Sisters is an excellent organization and I know for a fact it is one of the best ways for people to connect and make lasting friendships . Age is not a factor in matters of the heart . Happy Birthday Dan ..you and your big brother are two very special and lucky fellows .
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