the love of an older brother....

is unconditional and continually changing. I remember when I was little [maybe 4/5] there was a significant period of time when I thought my brother hated me. Having a little sister who wanted to play and follow you around was obviously not cool. I am sure it's the same for other siblings, depending on the age gap. I guess because me and my brother had 5 years between us, he was already maturing while I was still toddling and he certainly did not want to entertain me. 

But then again I look through my baby photo album that contains all sorts of photos of me in horrific baby attire and see pictures of him and I together where he looks almost happy to have a baby sister. 

There was a time I did not like my brother so much either. Having a sibling who has such specific goals and who taps into his abilities to produce real achievements, leaves the younger sibling in the wake of celebration; a little unsure of what to do or how to follow in the footsteps of the one who has come before. I certainly went through a phase of disliking my brother, for not many reasons other than the fact that he was first and he seemed to do so darn well at everything that it set the bar kinda high for me. 

But funnily enough it seems we both got over our dislike for each other and grew up. Life changing events probably had something to do with our relationship growing and while my brother has never been the heavy-weight-punch-anyone-who-hurts-my-sister kind of guy, I knew he was always there for me. I recall him leaving for university and I think I was more upset than anyone. In fact I slept in his room for a while after that because I missed him so much. 

And now our relationship is long distance. We skype, we text, we email. But I miss him. He popped over to Cyprus for whirlwind trip last weekend and I think it is the first time since we moved that I have been able to spend some quality time with my big brother. 

Our numerous trips to England always seem to fly by and the perpetual dilemma is weather we see a couple of people for the whole time, or many people for a short time [a question I believe will always remain unanswered].

So to have my big brother squeeze his long limbs into a BA economy seat just to visit me was wonderful. We talked, we sunbathed, we walked and we ate [of course]. 

And as soon as he left I wanted him back. Oh how things change when you become an adult and your perspective towards your siblings becomes more rational. 

We even managed to get some nice sibling snaps while he was here; about time too!