The Warmth of Brotherhood

Standing out in the cold December winds, a young boy wept. The bite of Winter’s Chill was incomparable to the lashings received from his parents’ mouths. He had failed, not just them, but himself. That failure dimmed the flames of passion in his soul down to an ember, when it was rightfully an inferno. Hearing the crunch of snow behind him, the child turned and saw his older brother. Hastily, he tried to wipe away his tears, not wanting to be seen as childish. At this act, the older brother’s heart clenched. Seeing the kid before him was like staring into a mirror.

Despite having grown up to be an adult, he still felt like no more than a child in a grown man’s clothing. He was scared, he was anxious, he didn’t want to let anyone down. Especially not himself. And here was his brother, struggling with the same problems. The only difference between them was that one did not have the luxury of crying, the other did.  No matter if he wanted to, the older brother had to stay strong, for him. To be his pillar of support when it seemed that everyone else turned away. So, he embraced the boy.

Given the love that his parents had rescinded for a simple failure, and the comfort that the harsh world would never be so kind as to offer, the child cried out, no longer able to hold back. Hearing his wails, the older of them hugged his brother tighter before speaking.

“It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to blame yourself, it’s okay to hate yourself. Don’t let that stop you! The you of tomorrow will be better than the you of today. And again the day after! So it’s alright to be weak. Regardless of your flaws, no matter how many times you fail,  no matter who turns their back on you, I’m your brother! So, for me, and for you, be better. That’s the best we can do. That’s ALL anyone could ask from you.”

In each other’s embrace, there was warmth. They needed nothing else.