The other day, my brother was sorting through the huge box where I had stored my record collection when I left for college several years ago. Beatles, Rolling Stones, Doors, Simon and Garfunkle...He was in heaven. It was so interesting seeing him react to the artists and records themselves the same way I had when I was his age. I was about to leave the room when he asked, “Why couldn’t you have showed these to me like the sister in Almost Famous?” I laughed. “Because I never left to become a flight attendant.”
When I’m away at college, I sometimes find myself falling into a bizarre accent that is described by a friend who’s observed it, as “a combination of Salad Fingers and Ron Burgundy.” People laugh and think I’m strange, but I know that when I get home, my brother will welcome me with a “Why hello Miss…” in a spot-on Sean Connery impression. I love the fact that if I see someone particularly amusing on the street, I can look in my brother’s direction and he will be looking at me with his eyebrow’s raised. He can read my mind, and I his.
Looking at Forrest now, I am blown away at what a young adult he’s become. It’s been agreed upon by our friends that he has been “about 40” for several years now, his intellect far beyond that of his peers. Or maybe that’s my sisterly pride talking. But honestly, the kid can write, and the kid can make movies. The kid can do a lot of things, and quite well. Looking at him yesterday, in line at the airport, and could not believe how grown up he’d become. He left for Australia, a trip with his high school choir to perform at Sydney’s opera house, and won’t return for two weeks. Already the house is lonely and quiet. I miss all of the things that I complain about when he’s home. I miss fighting for iPod control in the car, I miss him asking me to record Lost, and I miss hearing him play the piano in the living room until I threaten to burn his music.
I cannot thank my parents enough for giving me Forrest. He is my confidante. My best friend. He’s known me from day one, and hasn’t given up on me yet. He’s my little bro, and I love him.
