I am the middle of three kids: older brother, younger
sister. Tonight is the Eve of my brother’s
BIG 4-0… So… in honor of this momentous occasion I thought maybe I should make
a pro vs. con list of having Dan as a brother.
Since it’s his big special day (did I mention it’s his 40th
birthday?) I think I’ll start with the pros….
·
Protective.
When Mom was expecting our sister I prayed for a girl and Dan prayed for
a boy. When Susie arrived Dan’s first
response was “Good. Now I have two
sisters to look after.” And he did look
after us well. He never seemed to mind
having us tag along, he took us on dates (he still does when he gets the
opportunity), he has always been a friend and great sounding board.
·
Fun. As
kids we played lego and cars and Little House on the Prairie and took our crazy
carpets off the barn roof and went dirt biking.
Now we play games and laugh and visit and laugh and laugh some
more. Our times together are always rich
and always fun.
·
Generous.
When I was about 12 I was asked to be a candle lighter in a friend’s
wedding. The wedding took place a few
days before Christmas and Dan took his own money, went to the local jewelry
store and bought me a necklace that matched my dress. (Sorry to the rest of the family who probably
got crappy gifts that Christmas cause he blew all his money on me.)
·
Good with words.
Actually this could possibly go on the con list because whenever all us
kids have to sign a card Susie and I groan because we know Dan will write
something beautiful and heartfelt and sappy.
We usually just write “I love you” and then sign our names… he makes us
look bad… BUT… since I have been on the receiving end of his heartfelt words I’ll
just leave this one on the pro list.
·
Encourager. Those good words of Dan’s always seem to come
at the perfect time. What a blessing to
have a brother who is on my team.
Somehow he just knows when to deliver life-giving words.
·
Good Cook.
Dan has always liked to cook.
When he was in college he had me over to his basement suite for
dinner. He made me perogies and stove
top stuffing… but he’s older now (40 actually) and his culinary ability has
improved. We love it when Dan cooks!
·
Great Uncle.
Our kids LOVE Uncle Dan, and I love that the feeling is mutual. Dan goes out of his way to know our kids… he
was so anxious to meet Luke that he even rearranged his holiday schedule to
bring his family out our way so he could see Luke before he got too big.
That meant so much to me.
·
Example.
Dan married a great girl and he and Marilyn have been such a testimony
of deep trust in God. The two of them
struggled through years of infertility and went through a devastating
miscarriage before their first boy was born.
In the midst of all that long turmoil there was never a moment of
bitterness. They chose to celebrate with
family and friends who started their families while their arms remained empty. All through it they believed that God had not
forgotten them. What a testimony of
faith.
Okay… I could go on, but his birthday (40th )
is tomorrow and I want to get this posted before the Big day is over. So… on to the con list…
Hmmmm….
…. Can’t think of a one…
Love you Dan.
Happy 40th Birthday!
