Category Archives: Free Lance Beth

It isn’t possible for EVERYONE to have a big brother. You have to find them where you can, especially if you are first-born. My own “big brothers” were my cousins. Donnie, Jeff and Scott were all older than me and Bradley was younger, but Scott and I were closest in age so he got to be my “big brother”. My mom had a big brother, Phil, who was the dad to my cousins. It works out that way. My own dad WAS the big brother, so he gets it when you say that you have to find someone to be your “big brother” when you are the oldest.

My youngest son, Alex, obviously has a big brother. My oldest son, Drew, had to find his own. He considers himself very lucky to have cousins. So do I.

Today, Cousin Tsali is celebrating his birthday at a dinner for the top 50 scholar-athletes in the state of Indiana. That is a pretty big deal and great timing. That way, mom and dad have technically taken him out to dinner.

We travel to Indiana at least twice a year to watch “the cousins” play some sort

Happy Birthday Tsali!

of sport or visit them at a reunion. When we can’t, there is the incredible invention of “live streaming” for most events or we can keep up with the accomplishments via Social Media. We sit around the computer somewhat like our grandparents sat around the radio only we get to watch the action.

Through this connectedness…my boys have managed to find in all of their cousins a certain leadership quality of being “older”. Drew gets to choose from lots of older people in his own sports, church and local circles for his role models. But, he chooses his cousins. And tonight, one of those cousins, Tsali turns 18 while being honored for his hard work, dedication and commitment to doing the “right thing” (most of the time!). We are proud of you bud! You make an amazing “big brother”. Must have been your role models…