Winter Reflections

These winter afternoons have been taking their toll on me. I doubt I am the only one that is caged up inside, only wishing for a warm day in which one can go outside and enjoy. All in all, I don't mind this time of year either. I feel that it gives me a lot of time to think, reflect, and reminisce. That is exactly what I have been doing on this blistery, white afternoon as I wait for 5:30 to roll around. At 5:30 I can turn my thoughts toward Nate and getting supper on the table, but until then you are stuck with me.

At work this morning, I checked my computer to verify the date, before I went about writing it on various papers. When I noticed it was 1/16/2015, which makes sense, I paused. 'Today is my brother Todd's birthday,' I thought, 'I better not forget to text him.'

I always wondered what it would have been like to have a younger brother or sister. Although I will never know, I do know that I would not have been half of what my big brother Todd was to me.

As I began to think about the 14 years of age in between us, it dawned on me that we have never really been in similar life stages as one other. When I went to Kindergarten, he had already graduated. By the time I was in the young group, he was already married, and so on.

helping Toddy pick strawberries
#DoubtIWasMuchHelp

Our age difference never seemed to be an issue though. Bob or Toddy (as I refer to him) always seemed to take time for his little sister. Today, as I flipped through an old scrapbook from my childhood, I noticed that there was a picture of Todd on about every other page. He must have been my whole world back then.

watching TV at Bear Lake together
#HeEvenGaveMeTheRemote

A large percentage of girls have not been born into families where there is even a good example found in their father. Yet, I have the blessing of not only having a wonderful, Godly father, but also a brother who spoiled me and set a wonderful example for his little 'sis', along with 3 other older siblings who did the same. 

silly faces
#ThatOutfitOfMine

At 14 years of age, Toddy was introduced to his new baby sister Hannah Joy, and at 14 years of age Hannah was introduced to her little niece, Lexie Jo. I know God had that all perfectly planned out. He knew we each needed a little one to hold and to love. What a blessing Todd and Jessica's little Lexie has been to me. 

It sure doesn't take me long to get lonely for Lexie.

#SheLooksSoYoung #IStillLookTheSame

It has been beneficial for me to take a trip down memory lane and reflect on how much I appreciate the Godly men in my life. I realize that some girls would do anything just to have one man in their life that they could actually trust and look too, especially during the hard times.

 I do not know if Todd will ever read this, but I still want to thank him for the time, love, and prayers that he has invested in me over the years. I have so many good memories with him, and I hope that there are many more to come. I wish him a wonderful birthday and will continue to pray for him as he manages a business, as he leads his family in the admonition of the Lord, and as he ultimately strives to follow God's will in all things.

Some things just never change.
#LoveMyBigBros