"Closing the Casket" on Childhood

Today my baby brother Corey graduated from High School.

TODAY MY BABY BROTHER GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL!!!

Of course he and I are our own people, but there are some striking similarities in us that make us truly kindred spirits. One connection we share is that we both have dreaded growing up. We very truly loved living at home with our parents and very truly loved being children!

I'm 25 years old. I have a husband, I have a degree, I have a career-type job, I have a kid... I ought to accept the fact that I'm a grownup, and in many ways I had, but a piece of me still said "Hey, my childhood happened during Austin and Tyler and Jordan and Corey's childhood, so if they're still in their childhood, then a piece of me has got to be there still too..." As each brother's graduation passed I still held on.

So today as he walked across that stage and smiled up at us with his "I Love You" sign, my heart sang at his success. But a piece of my heart wept a little, because he grew up, and I did too!

Dear brother of mine, there is some solace in this. You're one of the most compassionate and Christlike people there ever was on the planet. If there's one thing about growing up that's truly worth it, it's our increased capacity to do good. Growing up allows you to grow in your ability to reach out to others with your knowledge and resources and SHARE THEM, which you will so nobly do as you pursue your goal of becoming a teacher. And that's worth "closing the casket" on childhood, that phrase you coined so beautifully in your poem.

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