my brother Foofie

This is a post inspired by the book, Carry Yourself Back to Me, by Deborah Reed.
It was the October selection for From Left to Write book club.

When I was in college and working at a Bible camp over the summer, I made a list of qualities that I wanted my future husband to have. And not fluffy ones, like deep dazzling brown eyes, freckles that dance across his nose, and an infectious smile. {I lucked out though - Husby totally has all that!} One thing on my list was that I wanted him to love my family and truly be a part of it, and that he would want to do things with my brother just because he loved him. My sweet husby does this, and my brother adores him. I can't tell you what this does for my heart - knowing they each have a brother.

having a man moment last Christmas

When he was first born, I wasn't yet 2. I couldn't say his name right away - Christopher - so I pronounced him 'my baby brudder Twissafer'. There was also a cartoon on at the time about Foofer the big blue dog (I think). Foofer was even easier to say than Twissafer, and to this day, we ALL (including his wife) call him Foofer!

He's the only person that I've ever gotten into a fight for. That's right. When I was 6, we were playing outside and the neighborhood bully was teasing him badly and also pushing our younger sister around. I socked him right in the face. It wasn't the last time I'd stick up for him over the years. Nobody messes with my Foofie.

Our bedrooms were across the hall from each other, and in the basement. We stayed up late (unbeknownst (we thought) to my mom) to watch Star Trek on the TV down there. He killed spiders in my bedroom for me (well, until the day he decided that it would be good for me to conquer my fears and wouldn't do it). He even went to the same college as I did, and once drove me to the hospital when I broke my toe and injured my leg during dance practice. He helped us unpack the moving van at 11:30pm last year, and he helped unload and unpack the stuffed storage unit that held all our possessions.

with a few of the Scouts who came to his wedding

He's the Scout Master to a group of mostly Somali Boy Scouts, who test his patience but he loves. He also still works with the Scout troup that he grew up in. Later that same troup (the one he grew up in and now works with) gave him an honorary Eagle award.

He's good and kind and stinkin' hilarious - seriously. He's got a biting wit. He writes a sarcastic Christmas letter every year, and even though he's referred to me as 'Thunder Thighs' in itn before, I'm not offended. Honestly!

modeling with our dad

He still hugs me - wraps me up in big ol' squishy bear hugs. He started calling me his little big sister when he began towering over me.

And I'd still punch someone for him.

my brother with his sisters - our family

 -anna
{girlwithblog}

Again, this post was inspired by Deborah Reed's debut novel Carry Yourself Back to Me . The novel follows heartbroken singer-songwriter Annie Walsh as she digs into the past to exonerate her brother from murder. As a member of From Left to Write book club, I received a copy of this book for review. You can read other members posts inspired by the book here. Author Deborah Reed shares a playlist of songs mentioned in her novel or those that share the vibe of the book.