Today I’m scrambling to get ready for all our “company” coming to visit so I’m thankful for my wonderful friend Stacy, who was willing to guest post for Thankful on a Thursday–one of my new favorite days of the week!
(And if any of our “company” is reading this, ignore that part. I’m cool as a cucumber relaxing in a deck chair with a margarita because my house is always this clean, my ceiling fans are always dusted, and my Tupperware cabinet always looks like that–and don’t believe anything Grandma says about things falling out when you open the door!)
Stacy and I worked together back when I worked in the “big city” and she is still a dear, dear part of my life (because thankfully she’s much better and keeping in touch than I am). I’m thankful to have had her example of a daily Christian walk in front of me for the years we worked together. Being a Christian in the workplace is a complicated business, but she showed me that being unfailingly kind, compassionate, respectful, and sincere is an undeniable daily reflection of your walk with Christ.
I hope you enjoy her heartfelt words as much as I always do. As she says, brothers and sisters are a special blessing from God and I’m blessed to have Stacy as a sister-in-Christ!
Guest Post
Brothers and Sisters
You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu
I am thankful today (and always) for my Brother Kenneth.
My brother Ken, born in October 1971, was happily enjoying being an only child until I came on the scene just 10 months later. From the beginning he became my protector, or so I’m told. With less than a year between us I became an automatic friend and playmate.
Up until 10 months old I never uttered a word. No mommy or daddy or anything remotely close. My parents figured I’d speak in my own good time. One day our dad comes into the nursery to check on his two young ones. I was alone, as Ken had wandered off. In dad’s presence I decide to speak not only my first words, but my first sentence – “Aren’t you going to get Kenneth?” To this day, when dad tells the story he laughs and says that he ran to tell my mom that their 10 month old daughter actually spoke. For the moment he forgot about finding my brother.
Ken and I were a typical brother and sister while growing up – friends one minute, enemies the next. We played hard and fought hard.
While growing up Ken helped me in my weak area of shyness. I always wanted Ken around when I was in the presence of people I didn’t know very well. Somehow Ken made people feel comfortable. He’d talk about anything that came into his mind. Ken was never one to hold his tongue. I secretly liked that. On the other hand Ken truly hated to read books, especially out loud. I would gladly read books to him because I loved to read and he loved to listen.
Our favorite game to play involved imaginary trips to Springfield, Massachusetts (we thought we made this place up in our minds J) Ken and I would hop on a “plane” (my brother’s bed) with our dolls and stuffed animals in tow and in no time at all my brother the pilot flew us far far away from Chesapeake, at least for a Sunday afternoon.
I can’t get too sentimental. There were fights – knock down, drag out fights! I can remember a couple of “good ones”. One day Ken and I fought in the front hall of the house and ended up fighting right through the screen on the front porch door. Mom was mad! Another day, Ken kicked a hole in my bedroom door because I shut him out. Dad got mad about that one; he had to figure out how to repair the door!
Into adulthood, Ken is my confidant. I think we’ll both go to our graves with the secrets of what we did in college just because we felt we wanted to “experience life”. Don’t worry, mom and dad! We’re all still alive and no one got arrested. J
Today, our lives look a little different. He’s a husband and a father. I’m Aunt Stacy to his daughter. But, you know, he never ever forgets about me. We don’t see each other all the time, but when we hang out it’s a treat!
If you have a loving sibling, be grateful! I’m happy to have been blessed with a great brother by the best – our Father God.
Guest Blogger–Stacy J. Porter
Stacy is a resident of the Western Branch section of Chesapeake, VA. She attends New Life Providence Church in Virginia Beach, and her hobbies include organizing events, reading books, watching movies, and enjoying the company of family and friends.
