My Second Father

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My Second Father

My

father died, when I was five. It was hard on us all. With time the

wounds healed. My brother, who is eight years older than me, began to

watch over my mother and me.

Taking

on many more responsibilities than was expected of him, I remember he

made sure the trash was taken out, and the yard mowed. He did this on

his own, without being told to do so.

Because

of my father's death, my mother was forced to get a full time job. My

brother took it upon himself, to get up early every morning.

He

would get me up for school, and make me breakfast. While I was eating

he would lay out my clothes, make my bed, and gather my school books up.

Hand

in hand we would walk to the bus stop. As we waited, he would play

games my father used to play with me. He did his best to make me happy,

and he succeeded every time.

When

we arrived home from school, we were alone for about a half hour, until

mom was home from work. He would sit me down with three cookies and a

glass of milk. If I had home work then this was the time I would do it.

My brother would start laundry, and do dishes if there were any. He

would find something for supper, and have everything ready for mom, so

she could start cooking.

Mom

would greet us with a hug and kiss. This was our queue to go outside

and have some fun. This was my brother's time to be a kid.

It

was a Saturday in June a couple years later. My mother and I were at

the store. They had the Father's day cards out. I stared at the rack of

cards. My mom said " Honey, I know this is a hard time for you. " I said

" No, mom that's not it. Why don't they have Brother's day cards? "

She

smiled and said, " You're right, your brother has definitely been a

father to you. Go ahead pick out a card. " So I did, and on Father's Day

my mother and I sat my brother down and gave him the card.

As

he read it, I saw the tears forming in his eye's. I felt a lump in my

throat, as he threw his arms around me and my mother. I heard the

crackling in mom's voice as she said, " Son, your father is proud of

you, seeing that he raised a good man, and that you do your best to

fill his shoes. We love you, and thank you. "

Author unknown-- With Love,Ganesh Babu+919880962897My Group: Kriyababa_spiritualjourney- (Send a blank email)