My brother and I are 12 years apart, which, in a way, made us both only children. While I was looking forward to new adventures in college, he was making new friends in kindergarten.
I taught him how to organize his Ninja Turtle wallet, much to the chagrin of my parents, who used to sneak and borrow gas money when they didn’t have cash. As a four-year-old, B “counted” his money nearly every day. They couldn’t get over on him once he kept his bills in order.
I sent him letters from college, and he wrote back with an uneven hand on that extra-wide-ruled kid paper: “Hi. I miss you.”
We were as close as we could be, considering that I was in college and grad school while he was growing up. Which really meant we weren’t all that close.
Things changed last year when we went to our family reunion in Memphis. After the annual banquet, we hit Beale street for some drinks. My brother was drinking from a whalebone!! The 12 year difference faded fast as I had a few cocktails of my own.
We’ve been talking a lot more since then, and I’ve learned that my brother has grown into a fine young man. I know it sounds corny, but I couldn’t think of a more witty way to put it.
Now we stand as two adults facing a family challenge. Questioning physicians, handling household affairs, and shepherding Daddy back from bouts of extreme worry about Momma. This last one is a blog post or two in itself.
I don’t think I could get through this without him. This trying ordeal has made me think about my daughter, who is an only child. What support network will she have when it comes time to “parent” my husband and me?
I guess we still have time. My parents waited 12 years, and, as I’ve learned, that’s not so big a difference after all.
— Post From My iPhone
DivaScript 
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It's wonderful that your relationship with your brother continues to deepen and grow with the years. I, too, have a much younger brother. He's 14 years younger than I, and I remember sending him Ninja Turtle coloring books and cards and such from college!
As the fifth of six children I can relate. I don't think my older brothers and sisters actually saw me as an adult until I was the one here to deal with my mother and father aging and dying. Excellent post!
this is a very moving post. my bro and i are only 5 yrs apart, but we seem far away in many aspects. recently, due to my father's health, we've had to pull together.
I can completely relate to this post. There is 9 years between my brother and I and we have always struggled to find a common ground between us. But now that we are older and "adults" with our own kids, we are starting to become closer and able to relate to each other better. Stopping by from SITS.
My brother is 8 years younger than I am and we struggle with the same things. This post really touched my heart.
My yonger brother is 9 years younger than me. He and I really couldn't stand each other for those brief years we lived together. But after I moved out, he became one of my best friends. And as he gets older, I too realize that he is a "fine young man."
This is such a beautiful, heart-felt post.There are 14 and 16 years between myself and my younger brother and sister. When they were growing up, they treated me more like an aunt than a sibling. Last summer, my little sister, now 17, came to stay at my house for a couple of days. I worried about what we would talk about and how awkward it might be to find common interests. I needn't have worried, though. We are sisters, through and through. You are absolutely right. A few years aren't such a big difference.
I am so glad you and your brother are getting closer! I bet that age difference makes things different, but as adults it is always easier to find things in common ♥