My brother told us last night that he and Shana are pregnant! I was already an uncle by the time I was 6 yrs. old from my half-siblings in Hawaii, but this is different. When you’ve known someone since your first sentient memories and he’s budding new life off of a twig that runs alongside your own, his own stemming from the same branch as yours, when you’ve fought and made up, peed on each other, struggled with the same sins, were grounded together, traded chores and scrapped over left-overs it affects your heart more intensely. It’s a weird mix of joy and jealously, but moreover, there’s a sense of pride and protectiveness for a life that’s barely sprouted toes.

My brother loves his puppy tremendously, how much more his child! He will be a good father. I always knew that. His heart is huge; if it were in the NFL it would be a defensive tackle!