When Big Brothers Leave, Little Sisters Cry.

One of the biggest concerns I had when I found out Andrew would be leaving for boot camp was how it would affect his brother and sister. I talked to both of them before they left. Ethan said he would miss him and that it would feel “weird” not having him around, Gabby said it was going to be sad.

When we said our goodbyes last Tuesday (can’t believe it’s already been a week!) I wasn’t sure how Ethan and Gabby would react. Would they cry? Would they be upset? I was prepared to soothe a couple of broken hearts. However, neither one of them cried. They both hugged their brother tightly, told them they would miss him and then smiled and joked around like they always do.

It will hit them later, I thought to myself.

On Thursday, I traveled to Miami for a work trip. Ethan stayed with a friend and Gabby stayed with my mom. I thought the time away from home would be good for her , since she’d be having too much fun at Grandma’s house to miss her brother. I was right. She had a blast at Grandma’s house, playing with her cousin, shopping and eating too much of Grandma’s delicious food.

But things changed once we were home and it was time for bed.

“I miss Andrew.” Gabby said as I tucked her into her bed.

“I miss him too.” I responded, while placing her favorite blanket on top of her chest.

We prayed for Andrew, I kissed her goodnight and walked out of her room. A few minutes later, I could hear her crying. I walked into her room. Her face was down, pressed against her pillow. She was trying to mute the sound of her cry. I walked over to her bed and asked her to scoot over so I could lay down next to her. I wrapped my arms tightly around her.

“I miss Andrew, Mommy.”

“I know, sweetie. I miss him too.”

“Mommy, I miss him so much it hurts my heart.”

I told her it was okay to cry, I told her not to hold back, to cry as much and as hard and as loud as she needed to cry. And she did.

I just held her close and cried along with her because what else could I do? From the moment this girl was born, her brother has loved, adored and cared for her. He is patient with her, even when she’s being bratty. He’s never been too busy to spend time with her, whether it be playing games or playing the guitar for her so she can sing her favorite Adele songs. They are as close as a brother and sister with such a huge age gap (11 years) could possibly be. Their relationship has always warmed my heart.

We stayed there in her bed with her until the crying stopped. After she had calmed down a bit, we had a long conversation. I told her that her brother is strong and brave and that he is doing something amazing with his life. I explained that, while it’s okay to be sad and to miss him, she should also be proud and excited for him. Together, we came up with an idea. We’re going to buy a jar and put little strips of paper next to the jar. Anytime we miss him or feel sad, we’ll write a message of love and support for him and put it in the jar. When he returns home, she will present the jar to him so he can read all of our messages. He will know how dearly he is loved and how proud we are of him. I also told her that I would take her to buy paper, envelopes and new pens so that she could write him a notes whenever she wants to. I told her the minute we get that postcard with his address, we’ll start sending the letters. By the time our conversation was over, she was peaceful and excited to start writing messages to her brother.

The next day, we went to Target to get her the things I promised. As soon as we got home, she wrote her first letter.

Amazing, that girl.

We still have not received the postcard containing his mailing address. The first thing that Gabby does every day when she gets home from school is run to the mailbox to check for it.

I hope today is the day she finds his letter there inside that mailbox.

**Update**

It arrived. She couldn’t be happier.

26 thoughts on “When Big Brothers Leave, Little Sisters Cry.

  1. Becky

    Oh, honey. I tear up every single time I read about Andrew. You are so strong, and SUCH a good mom. You’ve raised and are raising amazing children. Congratulations and much love to you and your family!

    1. Maddy

      aww this can not get any sweeter then this oh honey you are soo brave like other brothers and sisters would fight but this girl loves her brother and she can just show it by sending him this letter it makes me cry a littel soo you are super brave how sweet you are a cute kid

  2. daniel

    shit – now I’ve got tears in my eyes. I can only imagine what you’ve got going on. Thank you so much for sharing.

  3. Brian

    This is so sweet. The love hold y’all together is obvious. I hope you get that postcard today.

  4. Linda Tackett

    I have a 5 yr old grandson and I remember the 1st that he told me his heart hurt! I am so sad for Gabby, looking at the pictures really show what a close bond they have. I think the notes are a great idea.

  5. Nancy P

    Oh my heart….. Your family inspires me. You remind me what is right with the world amongst all the crap that is out there.

  6. Suzy Q

    Aw, how sweet!

    PS: It was delightful to meet and talk with you in Miami. You are every bit as warm and friendly in person as I had hoped. Plus, awesome rack! 😉

  7. alimartell

    OOOF. They have the sweetest relationship.

    And just look at how happy that face is to get that mail! HUGS to your entire family, lady.

  8. Dawn B

    ugh. My daughter is 10 years younger than my son. I dread the day he leaves and can only hope that I handle it as well you you have. Much love to you all.

  9. paula in ohio

    My brothers were 11 & 13 when I was born and we have the same amazing bond as you describe between Andrew and Gabby (even more so now in our 40’s and 50’s!) The photos are so sweet and so much like my own childhood… I’m thinking of y’all all during this journey! Hugs, lots of love and happy note writing! Love the jar idea…

  10. Theresa

    This was such a beautiful post! I teared up, thinking of my own boys, and knowing how much they love their own little sisters. I will pray for your sweet Andrew at night- I always thought it would get easier as they grew up- boy, was I wrong! 🙂 Thank you for sharing this intimate glimpse of your life. God bless you all- 🙂

  11. Denise

    Y, I’ve been reading all your boot camp posts with tears flowing. My son went to Basic Training last summer (he’s going back again this summer because he was a split-op..he had to be home in time for school to start) and it’s like you’re writing all of my feelings exactly. When we got our first letter from him it was like Christmas and our birthdays rolled into one. God bless your son and y’all, too.

  12. mouthy_broad

    Tears.

    Also? Gabby singing Adele is amazing. What an awesome sibling relationship! I hope they start a band in 10 years.

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