War now has a whole new meaning...

A very dear friend of mine is leaving on Thursday to begin his time in the Special Forces branch of the Army (also known as Green Berets). Actually, he is more like a brother to me on so many levels. You see, I met him when he was 13 and now 10 years later, he has become a man who is leaving to do something he feels called to do. Whether being a friend, a parent or a big brother, I am supposed to support him and help him any way I can. What’s hard for me is typically if he was in need, I was just a few miles away to help. Not anymore…not anymore.

I saw a “Success Story” on Channel 12 News about 11 years ago that showcased a “Big” and his “Little” as they are called in Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Jax. They concluded with a “if you too would like to become a ‘Big’ just give this number a call.” I was in no way ready to take on the commitment of feeding into a young person. But I had to. It was just right and despite people telling me I couldn’t give him the time and guidance he needed, I pressed on. Thank the Lord, I did.

From a skinny little buzz-cut skater kid at 13, he is now a 6-4, 195 pound of a man who towers above me and has since about the 9^th grade. I couldn’t have selected a better fit if I was at Build-A-Bear in the mall. After a few years it became evident that besides the height of this kid, he all but HAD to be related to me. Hoops, Seminoles, skateboarding, baseball cards, music, food, movies…we liked them all. Now of course, he has gotten all weird on me and likes salads…black sheep.

All my family and friends love him. He is one of the family. He is my little brother. As the youngest of four boys with the closest being 9 years older than me, I never had a younger brother until him. He helped me grow in ways I never would have otherwise. In almost everything I’ve done, he was a part of it. When I taught summer basketball camps, he was either in them or teaching with me. At the YMCA, I hired him and certified him as a lifeguard. I taught him how to referee basketball games and he and I single handily officiated every game together in a small church men’s league in Green Cove.

We played on the same basketball teams when I still played and I had the honor of throwing him his 1^st alley-op dunk in a real game. Got that one on tape. He has volunteered for me in our church leagues and is one of my most solid and flexible referees. When things got rough, I always knew I could count on him no matter how many hours or how tired it would make him.

All these things are what make this Thursday morning so tough. (pause, as I wipe away the tears). He will learn to depend on a whole new set of people and will be the best soldier anyone could ask for. Because of his job, he won’t be stationed behind some desk here in the states. I could only wish he was.

I’ve had other relatives and friends serve in the forces and many have spent time in the Middle East. But this one hits a little closer to home for me. You see, this is my little brother we are talking about. And all I can do now is pray for him everyday.