Brotherly love

The moment we found out that our second baby was going to be a boy, I remember being very excited, mostly for Enriquito because he would have a brother. But I think this excitement stemmed from having witnessed Enrique (my husband) and Gerardo's (his brother) deep love for each other. Those two have something very special, something so special that I consider it such a blessing to be around them when they are together. And so even though we received much advice not to name our second child Gerardo, because it would be too confusing at family gatherings, (especially if Gerardo had a son someday and he named him Gerardo), and even though I personally was not too fond of the name Gerardo (nobody can pronounce it), we went ahead and named our second son Gerardo....simply because of that special relationship that exists between my husband and his brother....I so desire it for my boys.

This afternoon as I was laying down with Enriquito for his nap, Gerardito was in the next room ...and he started to cry. Enriquito heard him and with concern on his face said to me, "Pobrecito, Palito." I then asked Enriquito if I should leave him there in the bed by himself, in order for me to go be with Palito (Enriquito does not like for me to leave him in the bed by himself)..and he said yes. When I asked him why he said, "Quieres mucho a Palito." And I asked him (in order to clarify that he wasn't talking about me), "Quien, mijo...quien quiere mucho a Palito?" And Enriquito responds, "Wuchis....Wuchis quieres mucho a Palito".
My heart smiled. My 2 year old was sacrificing his mommy time in bed for his crying brother...he couldn't stand for his brother to be sad.

And so I realize that it has begun...this special brotherly love....and I pray that it only grows with time and that the good God allows me to witness it on many more occasions. And thank you, Enrique and Gerardo, for being such great examples of what it means to love your brother...my sons are truly blessed to have these great men to look up to.