I've got Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart

When my brother was little, he and my grandmother, Mammie, would sing this song together.  As his younger sister, I do not remember him doing this, but the memory has been shared with me.  For this reason this song always reminds me of my brother, Brett.  And today, I've got Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart for him!! 

I have always been proud to call Brett my older brother.  There is something special about an older brother.  I  looked up to him as a little girl wanting to do anything that he did.  I wanted to play with the boys, ride bikes, play sports, and refused to wear pink because I wanted to be like Brett.  We had our occasional fights along the way but we always loved each other. The older we've become the great depth of our relationship has been revealed to us.

Brett has been working as an attorney for the last six years in a New York law firm. He worked hard.  Really hard.  Honestly, an incomprehensible hard.  Brett loves to live; to enjoy life and enjoy those people in his life but the work did not allow for living.  He was alive but he was not truly living.  I looked up to him as a little girl and I continue to look up to him today.  I admire the strength that was required to do his job but most of all I admire his consideration of his wife, Tara, as he thought of her while trying to figure another path for his career to take. 

My entire family has been praying for doors to open and opportunities to present themselves.  And doors did fly open.  Brett will be starting a new career in March!  We were reminded that God's timing is very different from our own.  Praying for a year and half, knowing that God did indeed have a plan for Brett and Tara, but daily being tested to truly believe.

So to my older brother, I am so excited for you and Tara to embark on this new journey!  It has been hard to see you struggle, but I thank you for inviting me in and allowing Camp and I to journey along side you.

Love-

Your little sister