A Cartoon illustration photo of me and my elder brother.
When our parents died, I had already written the script in my mind about what our family would look like afterwards. With six of us siblings, and three already having their own families with wives and children, I thought that was the end of all we used to enjoy and share together as family. I thought we would never have a family gathering again. The one thing that had held us together was broken, and we would all just scatter and face life on our own.
But my elder brother rewrote that script. Somehow, he re‑established the unity in our family. He introduced a monthly family meeting and made sure every one of us attended. We would pray together and share the word of God. The meeting is held at our father's house, where he lives. From there, the bond among us started coming back again.
The void that I thought our late father has created was quickly filled perfectly and much more. Many times, he has not just played the role of a brother for us, but of a father as well. He has taken many troubles for the sake of us his younger brothers. He has spent nights at the police station Stood for us in the courtroom. He has paid debts he never owed, paid hospital bills and house rent, just to help some of us in our difficult times.
I am a man with my own family now, same with other of my brothers. Yet he still carries us like we are still his responsibility. The recent incident is what got me writing this post.
One of our brothers got arrested recently over a business that went bad with a client. Over a million in our local currency was involved, and he was asked to pay the client the money or the case would be taken to the court. My elder brother stepped in, rally round and paid the money and got my youngest brother out of the police cell.
As I watched all of these happen, I kept thinking about who my elder brother used to be and who he has become. When I was a little boy, I never thought my elder brother could be this generous and this kind. I never saw this side of him. But for many years now, he has been there for the family when needed. He has taken many bullets for us, sacrifices his time, money, and resources to help the family in time of trouble.
I have come to believe that first born are divinely prepared for the role they play in a family. Nobody teaches them how to step in on the role fathers left behind. They just assumed the responsibility as life pushes them into it and learn on the job. They learn to be strong when they are tired, learn to give when they have little, and to remain calm when everyone else is panicking.
Honestly, I don't think I would have been able to handle any of these things if I was the firstborn. That's why I have started to respect my elder brother in a new way these days. He didn't ask for this role, but he took it and he has carried it with grace.
I feel very grateful for him, and more so very grateful that our family is still keeping strong together because of him.
Thank you elder bro.