“Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.”- Marc Brown
I remember the day our mom told me she was pregnant with you. I was only 8 years old. I always wanted a brother or a sister. When I was child, and not playing with my friends, I envied the children that went back to their home to play with their siblings until their parents put them to bed. I played usually alone for 9 years. Our mom thought I had imaginary friends. But the day she told me you were coming, I couldn’t wait to meet you.
Mami had a high risk pregnancy and she had miscarried 2 times before. The chances of you having an abnormal condition when born were really high, but our mom didn’t care. She really wanted you in our lives. I admired her strength and determination on that moment.
You were born on a normal day on November 5, 1993., but for me was nothing of normal. I was so excited to meet you. I knew you were going to be the love of my life. The person I would love the most. You were so cute, beautiful brown eyes, blond hair, super healthy (Thank God) and you didn’t look nothing like me.
I carried, fed, bathed, played, and watched over you with all the love I had in my heart. When our parents divorced it was really rough on them and all of us (Joel, you and me). They send me away to Georgia with our uncles until they sold the house and they send me back home when it was time to go back to school. I missed you so much.
When we lived alone with mami we had our ups and down’s. I was becoming a little women and I didn’t know what was happening with my moods. Mom and I were fighting all the time. Sorry about that. Took me a while to let my anger go away, accept my changes, the reality of the divorce and accept our parents as they were, humans.
As you grow older and you weren’t a little baby anymore (no more Pikachu or Power Rangers) I learned to get to know you. I try to teach you everything I knew including, how to dress, comb your hair, talk, behave, my music taste, how to treat a lady and more things you know you learned from me or I hope hehe.
I never wanted you to be me. I never judged you. I love you with all my heart and to this day I love you even more. I’m so proud of the man you have become. I know you have your flaws, like anybody on the world have. But you have become the most beautiful person, inside and out, I know. I love you Manu.
I miss you so much. I wish you live here with me, but I know is not possible for now. I remember our first trip together (Lolla)…oh man, you are the most fun, chill and positive guy I know. Even if I can’t call you to pick you up to go to the movies, dinner, beach, adventure and everything we did together… I wanted you to know I always think of you.
Anyways, I’m getting emotional… what I wanted you to know is that I’m very proud of you. I wanted you to look the great possibilities of anything you experience. Learn from the worst and the great things. Never give up on your dreams and fight for what you want. Never get discourage if someone wants to bring you down. Only belief in yourself and your strength. Also, remember I’m your sister, now and forever, I will be here for you.
You are very talented and very lovely guy. Please give mom, dad and grandma a hug and a kiss from me. See you soon… Disney!
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”- Desmond Tutu
xoxo,
Cristina
