My little brother is graduating from high school today. *tear* (Sorry for the washed-out quality of the pic!) I remember the night I got the phone call at my grandmother’s house that he’d been born. I remember when he came home from the hospital. AND, I remember dressing him up as a girl because of his ridiculously curly hair.
He’s the valedictorian of his senior class, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I don’t agree with many of the decisions he’s made lately, and I don’t like the fact that he’s hurting my parents the way he is, but still, he’s so smart! It’s a shame that he may be throwing away some of the best opportunities he will ever be given because of the lifestyle he’s choosing.
I have a hard time understanding how he’s made these choices. I know that drugs are addictive and that he’s finally come out of his shell and found “friends,” but I’m so disappointed. I guess I just don’t understand it. Since I’ve never had a desire to try any sort of drug, I don’t know what made him do it. He says “I’m not hooked” and “I can stop any time” and I know that it’s not true.
I just love him and I hurt for him. I think I feel sort of like a mini-parent when it comes to him since I was eight when he was born. I’ve changed his diapers for crying out loud!! I just hope he knows that I’m proud of him and that I’ll be proud of him. I also hope he knows that if he ever needs me, I’ll be there.
–David Assael
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
–Jane Howard