My “Little” Brother No More
Today my younger brother graduates from college. There is a nine-year age gap between us, so he has always seemed almost impossibly young to me, but now, he is moving into adulthood, not my “little” brother anymore. He’ll be getting jobs, making a home for himself, and generally growing up.
It’s funny to think now that all of my parents’ children are adults. None of us will live at home anymore, and now my parents will be moving into the next stage of their lives, a stage that seems incredibly far away for me, the “empty nest” or “golden” years of retirement and grandparents.
I’m very proud of my brother– school was never his favorite way to spend his time, but I think he surprised himself at college and found new strengths and skills he wouldn’t have suspected he had. I think fully assuming a newfound independence might be a bit tricky, especially financially, especially in this economy, but I think he will dig deep and find the persistence he will need.
All in all, I’m proud of him, and I think we children have made a good showing for all of our parents. All of our parents were the first in their families to go to college, and now they have safely seen us through earning our first degrees. I don’t know if this is the end of schooling for my brother, but either way, he has a solid achievement. Now it’s up to us to finish the job of adulthood.
- Posted in: all about me
It has been a crazy graduation year with Bobby, then Rachel and Max – its not just you, with only a 3-year gap it makes me feel old, too. Have fun today! I wanted to come, but am working out of town. I think you may see representation from the Ross family though – I believe my dad is making an appearance
Lauren, your dad and Bobby were both there, along with Donna, Butch, Paul, Monica– it was a good time, but we missed you! It’s so crazy to see all the little cousins out in the world as adults now.
My baby brother graduates this weekend from college! (Only he is 33, because he went into the navy for six years and then worked after his discharge, first.)
My mom’s three non-step siblings all had babies between 1987-1989 and now they’re all at college, and really, for the first time, I feel like that generation are finally not overlapping with me, because they’re not raising children at home anymore. It’s actually sort of weird. I’ll turn 39 and I have 8yos but I’m not quite ready to believe that my mom and her sisters are all empty-nester grandparent types.
Jody, my brother was born in 1987! He is actually my father’s child from his second marriage, but we have always gone without the “step” designation. We went to dinner after the graduation, and I felt funny still letting my parents pay for my dinner! My dad’s siblings are all watching their children graduate too, and I’m certainly feeling weird thinking all of my aunts and uncles as empty-nesters.
I still have one sibling left in college. And two who haven’t chosen to go.