brothers & mothers

A Christmas night
Brothers dusting off old memories of having a father that once was theirs but left the youngers
Asking for memories that they may not remember
Sipping egg nog all night long
A sister gifts you the greatest gift that makes you cry in your own small corner
Songs that reminds her of you
It’s no small thing to have songs attached to your name and memory
It’s someones life theme song playing in the background
Wrapping gifts with a steadily faithful singing mother who gave her all and continues to give all

my steady honey helping wrap gifts amidst the chaos, but always sweetly by my side 
Mummi who sings hymnals with the bois at midnight

and sings a song in her own mother language that we should have learned 
a Finnish song with Buppa in the background filling in the words she can't remember 
It’s two brothers who come up to you and give you strong hugs to ask if you’re okay 

and offer their support 
A hug from my first cuñado that I never expected & appreciate more than I’ll ever be able to say 
Honestly the best first Christmas gift I received this year 
It’s my love being there seeing the need of making my mother the priority she deserves 
Seeing my name carved in a wooden plague for the first time in my life 
Seems simple but huge 
Have you ever had a name that no one knew and couldn't pronounce? 
It’s huge to see ones name in a place where most have always seen

but yours is one to never be found jaja
My eldest brother telling me to give no ducks about it and carry on with how things should be 
Taking a second to catch my breath and take my thoughts by the garbage around me 
The physical garbage or the words of garbage both felt the same for a minute

but I didn't let it keep me there
A brother who texts if you need a walk 
Knowing that they’re there to offer a place of understanding and grace for growth 
waking up to Baby Junia being laid on me each morning. so refilling.

grands all rapping to their favourite musical with their aunties

frosting cookies and making more mess in the dough 

all the mess their cute little fingers make is a blessing i'll forever be happy about 

lil Evas crazy dreaded hair every morning makes me laugh just seeing it

my little dreaded headed hair twin

ziplines my brothers set up 

so much fun created by such a gift 

The grandkids who fill a house with noise of life and laughter, mess and sweet excitement 

running around in dress ups pushing strollers full of dolls 

an Uncle who rounds up all the grands to play music together

yelling jig-ga-di at the top of their lungs to their own tunes

doxology around Christmas dinner 

having grandparents that can join us

Buppa giving away his bible at the Christmas dinner table 

A talkative brother who shares from the heart even if he’s drank too much
The laughter he has and joy he gives to everyone
Knowing he’s here with us because his daughters, wife and mother
The words he said to her meant a lifetime of love from her 
By loving him all his life she saved his life
Oh what love can do for someone’s life 
I pray one day my mother knows the difference she has made on thousands who cross her path 
I pray for the right man to love her like she deserves and has desired all her life

all these things and so much more 

we have so much to be grateful for