Another little boy I once spent a lot of time with.
My brother is one of those people you instantly like.
That’s because you didn’t have to grow up with the little brat. He was sneaky, conniving, arrogant, and I damn near thought he was evil sometimes.
Knowing this would only make him smile. I guarantee it to you. This is just part of his charm. And he’s got a lot of it.
Some of my worst childhood memories involve my brother. Can you imagine someone hitting you in the head with a brick and then manipulating the course of events so that you actually get punished for that?
Some of my best childhood memories also involve him, and revolve around my relationship with him. I will never see a Fall Leaf fluttering to the ground without thinking of him and smiling. If you have never Leaf Danced, you should try it sometime, folks.
Overall, the good memories outweigh the bad memories. Which is nice.
He has gone through so very much, changed and grown so dramatically in the past 10 years. He has always been fiercely intelligent, but now he is also becoming a responsible, successful young adult. I’m so proud of him.
Today, he defended his Masters Thesis, and passed. That is Big Shit, people.
And now, it’s time for him to make some very important decisions. These are big, life changing things. Of course, in some way, all decisions we make every day change the paths of our lives. But he’s clearly in a situation where he has to make one of those BIG, FAT nerve-rattling, anxiety-inducing decisions that won’t just gently nudge him over a little on the road. It’s one that could just bump his ass onto the next ferry and take him over to the other shore. Dig?
I’d like him to know that I know he’s going to make the best decision for him. I know that no matter what decision he’ll make, he’s going to be a success, and lead a good life. The core of him and who he is tells me that. There may have been times when I was afraid of which path he would choose, but not anymore. I am not worrying about him anymore, just watching, curious, to see what kind of great things he will accomplish next.
He’s a worrier by nature, so, in case he reads this, how about leaving some encouraging words for him in comments today? I’d really appreciate that. I know you don’t know the specific details, but you know enough to leave some words of encouragement.
Knowing he’s at this point right now reminds me nostalgically, and somewhat painfully, of a time in my life when I had a very similar decision to make.
I wonder which direction the wind in his sail will blow?
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Please don’t forget to read my article at Quirkee.com today! And me love you long time if you comment there. 
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Christine
Let the REAL wind lead your leaf on its true path…and don’t let any person alter the current with their breath.
That’s my advice.
Christine’s last blog post..Early Bird Special
seven
I don’t have any good ideas for your brother (I took some college classes but didn’t graduate and went on to work for my parents and move back home. Not exactly a poster child for “go get ‘em, tiger”), but I do have to say that you look exactly the same as you did back then! So cute.
seven’s last blog post..So The Power Went Out Saturday Night…
Rebecca
Hooray for Lotus’s little brother.
Good luck to you.
Twitter: ramblingreba
lilacspecs
It’s nice that you’re so supportive of your brother. I know a lot of siblings aren’t that close. I have a younger brother too and I was very proud when he graduated couple years ago. Hope all goes well for him!
lilacspecs’s last blog post..This is Personal
LaskiGal
You and me ALMOST had the same little brother. Except mine is still growing up and probably wouldn’t have a clue what a thesis is. I still love him . . . bruises and all.
Lotus’ little bro, in case you are reading . . . HELLO!?! You just accomplished something amazing! Congratulations. Doing something that so many can’t do, will never do, should be a clear indicator that your future is going to be amazing. Take heart . . . believe in yourself and BE INSPIRATIONAL!
Best of luck . . .
GREAT POST
LaskiGal’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Days
MizFit
laskigal nailed it in the BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND YOU CAN CONQUER ALL THINGS.
*cheering from her desk and deciding to make it vigorous & deem it her daily workout*
Miz.
MizFit’s last blog post..food glorious food.
Kecia
I will think of encouraging words as soon as I get over how filthy your socks where in that first picture! : )
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Deb
Best wishes to your little bro. I have one that is similar to yours. He just got married last year. Defending a thesis…wow! Congrats.
Deb’s last blog post..Best way to have your kids get made fun of at a sleepover…
Mrs. F
Congratulations to your brother. That is a huge deal. Use your knowledge wisely and follow your heart, follow your dreams. Dream big. Take the big leap.
Also? I am totally weepy right now.
Mrs. F’s last blog post..In The Depths of Mindless Drivel
Amy
Congrats to you and all your accomplishments, Little Brother!!! From the sounds of it, whatever path you choose you will do amazing things!!!
Amy’s last blog post..The Imaginations of Babes!!
Taz
Taz’s last blog post..Cos I Can..
Junebug
Congratulations brother of Lotus! You’re gonna make it after all! One of my favorite shows!
My daughter just received the results online that she passed her State Board of Nursing License exam. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!! She was nervous! We knew she’d pass but all that effort and hard work paid off for her too.
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Ree
Congratulations Lotus’s brother!
Ree’s last blog post..WW – Fast Times at Norwalk Ohio
Lou Lohman
This, from a fat old man who has ‘been there’.
Wherever it is you go, make sure it’s where you WANT to go, not where you think you HAVE to go. Whatever you do, make sure it’s what you LOVE to do, not what you think you HAVE to do.
There is little in the world more tragic than being trapped in a life you hate, a job you can’t stand or a relationship that isn’t right for you.
And listen to Lotus.
Lou Lohman’s last blog post..100 Word Challenge – hour
Twitter: lceel
katia
go little bro go! I am always a firm believer in the fact that life only throws stuff at you that you CAN handle. Go for it.
katia’s last blog post..new home
Beck
I’m not a person to ask for advice, but I’ll pass on what someone wise said to me – pray about it and trust that God will send you the right path.
MP
Congratulations Brother of Lotus..
WOW!!
Those pictures are great..you need to get his permission to post a current pic.. unreal how much he looks like your little man..
MP’s last blog post..The new haircut
A Whole Lot of Nothing
Growing up with grownup decisions SUCKS nutty balls sometimes.
GOOD LUCK Lotus’s Brother!
A Whole Lot of Nothing’s last blog post..Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
A Whole Lot of Nothing
pssst…. there’s a typo in your Quirkee post. Just thought you’d like to know so you can change it. (Angel/Angle)
A Whole Lot of Nothing’s last blog post..Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Colleen
Can’t decide which is better – the pic of him picking his nose, or you with no front teeth.
Good luck, Lotus’s brother!
Colleen’s last blog post..If I weren’t a Mom, Summerfest would have gone like THIS.
Twitter: mommy_wins
Jamie
Congrats Lotus’s little bro!
I have no doubt you will set sail and never look back!
Katy
Love the nose picking pic. Good luck, little brother, in your decision process!
Katy
http://mynutvillage.com/
Katy’s last blog post..After and Before of My Schoolroom
Miss Britt
No decision is ever “THIS IS IT!!”
It’s just the next one.
Breathe brother Lotus. You’re gonna be just fine…
(How’d I do?)
Miss Britt’s last blog post..The New York City Recap That Will Never End*
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas
That first picture of him is so FREAKING adorable!!!!
Dear Lotus’ brother: Relax. Breathe. You will be fine! Do what will make you happy. And congrats to you! (You need a wife? I have a lovely 19 year old college Sophmore daughter that I’ll let you have…not that she’s being a pain in my ASS right now or anything…she’s real pretty.)
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas’s last blog post..You Wanna Know How Bad It Is?
Twitter: amy2boys
Donna
Congrats, Lotus’ little brother!!! A Master’s is no small feat and now comes all the fun stuff… choose wisely, but go with your heart.
Donna’s last blog post..Thursday 13 #6
stephanie
Hi Lotus’s brother! Or should that be Lotus’ brother? You tell me! What was your thesis in, anyway? I don’t believe your big sis mentioned that.
It’s amazing how, at the time when you are at the proverbial fork in the road, it seems so baffling which direction to go, but you take the plunge, make a decision and so many times you look back and can’t imagine your life having gone any other way.
My dad would tell you to make a list of pros and cons for each of your options. I would add get some advice from the people that understand you and your passions the best. They can’t make the decision for you, but they might offer some insight or questions you haven’t thought of before. I’ll be praying today that things become more clear for you.
No matter what happens, you have a sister who loves you. And you have the random group of individuals which is the blogging community to give you (unsolicited) advice and (hopefully) encouragement when you need it!
Sarah
Good luck to your brother in his decision!! I know how hard the life-changing ones can be…but I’m sure in his gut he knows the best thing to do!!
Sarah’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #20 – GIVEAWAY!!!
Twitter: sadiecass
Tanya
I was the same with my brother, he drove me up the wall and always got me in trouble. Now we are best friends. People don’t even realise that we are sister and brother because we get along so well.
Little brothers are very important, even if they end up being taller than you!
Masters……mmmm fantastic.
flickrlovr
Yay for little brother! Congrats, man!
flickrlovr’s last blog post..Someone Stole My Domain Name And I’m Bitter
Coast Rat
It’s nice that you have a strong relationship with your brother. Congratulations to brother! The world is out there waiting for you; go make it happen.
Coast Rat’s last blog post..REESE STOPPED BY
Half-Past Kissin' Time
I remember when I first finished my Undergrad studies and thinking, “Holy crap. People are going to expect me to DO something with this now!” Kinda scary. Anyone who finishes his Masters is capable of doing anything, in my mind. Good luck!
Veronica
Good luck to him, with everything.
Veronica’s last blog post..Dummies are the Spawn of Satan.
Krista
And here I thought I was going to have something in common with you… my younger brother is a royal pain, many times getting away with stuff he shouldn’t have. I don’t really remember him getting me in trouble that much, but he could himself get away with murder. And unfortunately we really weren’t good friends at all and still aren’t. It makes me sad, but he’s such a different spirit than the rest of the family… we try to reach out to him, but more often than not he’s only interested in his life. His loss I guess…
Congrats to your brother, he really does sound like an awesome brother in the end!
Krista’s last blog post..Book: Love Starts With Elle
cartoongoddess
My goodness, you still look exactly the same as you did then! How do you do it?
Congratulations to bro.
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)
Congratulations!! It doesn’t matter what path you choose. Just remember that looking back does you no good at all, so whichever way you go, plow ahead and be happy.
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)’s last blog post..Time-Honored Traditions
Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus
Thank you so much, you guys, you all have said some very lovely things and I appreciate it muchly.
Twitter: LotusCarroll
VDog
Little Brothers grow up? WHAT?? Seriously?
You must be using that sarcasm thing again.
(But seriously, Congrats to him. That’s HUGE.)
VDog’s last blog post..From the VDog School of Cracker Home Repair
Twitter: VDog
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ourcrookedtree
How cute are you two? That is what little brothers are for you know…getting you in trouble for their deeds!
If he can defend his Master’s thesis and pass I am not the least bit worried about him and his decision making ability!
Cassandra Rae
The best and most rewarding moves in life are those we make with our eyes closed and heart’s wide open.
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Hollie Petty
WOW! Congrats! Whatever decision you make, make it absolutly. Don’t look back. Just go with it. You can spend your whole life lookin back sayin what if to every single decision you ever make. Don’t. You can’t go back and do it any other way, have faith in yourself that you’re doing the right thing, for you, right now. Close your eyes, open your wings, and JUMP! Good luck!
KimlovesKolby
Congratulations! I enjoy this quote from poet Michael Teal “To have a world where peace and harmony reign supreme , we must journey to the self and discover that part of our inner being which invokes divine energy and honours the beauty and dignity of all living things.”