Gabriel
I think Gabriel is one of the coolest names for a male, ever. I don't know if everyone is so affected by their brother. I have always been blessed by the bonds that my brother and sister and I share. Even though we are no longer as close, especially geographically, I still consider my brother and sister to be on the top of my special list. Haha! It hit me though, just recently, that this affection of mine is stronger than I realize. I was watching "The Patriot" and Mel Gibson's character Benjamin Martin's eldest son's name is Gabriel, and it hit me how much I love even the name.
This may all be late night silliness, but I do seem to have a rather hard time communicating to my brother, and suddenly I wanted to tell . . . someone (have it in writing somewhere) how important my brother is to me. I might even have to admit that growing up my favorite arch-angel was Gabriel. I think I am right in saying that in the Bible only two angels are ever mentioned by name, but it still seems wrong to have a favorite.
My brother has impacted my life in more, shall I say, important ways than just name appreciation. I have long said that some of my favorite musicians/groups/bands have been groups like Metalica, the Eagles, Pink Floyd and others. These statements are usually discarded when people notice that I hardly own even one album/tape/cd by any of the artists. Although that isn't saying much because my music collection is just all around weak, shouldn't one own something by their "favorite". Truth be told, although I do highly appreciate all these artists in their own rights, my connection with them is almost all sentimental. These are the sounds that remind me of my brother. Sometimes they even remind me of specific nights with my brother and Matthew James (a completely different story), his best friend through middle school, and the person who introduced him to most of this music. Mostly, I can just remember the sounds blasting from his room anytime he was home. After years of soaking in these blasts, the music seems to be forever a part of me.
Gabe never was exactly the model citizen. He got in his share of trouble, and even broke a few people . . . literally. I think all of the times he was disappointing, I just took it upon myself being that I wasn't a good role model during the time he probably needed one. I just remember that in my mind he was the man of the house. It is honestly hard for me to remember a time when dad was home. I remember my life before dad "left" but I still don't remember him being there. Gabe grew up with a forever menopausal mother, and older, crazy sister, and well . . Natalie. (that whole line makes me laugh, but you probably have to be in our family to get it). I think even our pets all turned out to be female. Gabe was the man of the house.
I love my brother, maybe more then I have loved another man. Not like that, even if I am from Kentucky! I hope one day, if I ever get married, I can honor my brother by asking him to walk me down the aisle. That all came to terms in my head just recently, as I started helping my sister plan for her own wedding. Dad has become an amazing roll model in the past few years, and has made more attempts to connect with us, so I can understand that Natalie wants dad to walk her down the aisle, but it just made me realize that at least for now, in my head, there is only one person who belongs there for me.
This may all be late night silliness, but I do seem to have a rather hard time communicating to my brother, and suddenly I wanted to tell . . . someone (have it in writing somewhere) how important my brother is to me. I might even have to admit that growing up my favorite arch-angel was Gabriel. I think I am right in saying that in the Bible only two angels are ever mentioned by name, but it still seems wrong to have a favorite.
My brother has impacted my life in more, shall I say, important ways than just name appreciation. I have long said that some of my favorite musicians/groups/bands have been groups like Metalica, the Eagles, Pink Floyd and others. These statements are usually discarded when people notice that I hardly own even one album/tape/cd by any of the artists. Although that isn't saying much because my music collection is just all around weak, shouldn't one own something by their "favorite". Truth be told, although I do highly appreciate all these artists in their own rights, my connection with them is almost all sentimental. These are the sounds that remind me of my brother. Sometimes they even remind me of specific nights with my brother and Matthew James (a completely different story), his best friend through middle school, and the person who introduced him to most of this music. Mostly, I can just remember the sounds blasting from his room anytime he was home. After years of soaking in these blasts, the music seems to be forever a part of me.
Gabe never was exactly the model citizen. He got in his share of trouble, and even broke a few people . . . literally. I think all of the times he was disappointing, I just took it upon myself being that I wasn't a good role model during the time he probably needed one. I just remember that in my mind he was the man of the house. It is honestly hard for me to remember a time when dad was home. I remember my life before dad "left" but I still don't remember him being there. Gabe grew up with a forever menopausal mother, and older, crazy sister, and well . . Natalie. (that whole line makes me laugh, but you probably have to be in our family to get it). I think even our pets all turned out to be female. Gabe was the man of the house.
I love my brother, maybe more then I have loved another man. Not like that, even if I am from Kentucky! I hope one day, if I ever get married, I can honor my brother by asking him to walk me down the aisle. That all came to terms in my head just recently, as I started helping my sister plan for her own wedding. Dad has become an amazing roll model in the past few years, and has made more attempts to connect with us, so I can understand that Natalie wants dad to walk her down the aisle, but it just made me realize that at least for now, in my head, there is only one person who belongs there for me.