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and his anger melted away and we could talk about regular
sibling-type things. I even asked him who his “type” was – Will or
Jack? “Will,” he said. We had a relationship again, one that has
grown over the years since.
I didn’t know how to have a conversation with my brother
back in high school and college, but I’ve since learned that in
order for someone to trust you, you must first create that
environment of trust. If I share my ally status and share my story,
perhaps I will be the one trusted and perhaps there will be one
less person to struggle with feeling unsupported the way my
brother did.
This year Erik married Bryan in Hawaii, and I was so proud
to be able to share that beautiful experience with my husband
and two young children. Erik, I will always stand by you and stand
up for you. That’s what big sisters do.
Erik is the tall, handsome one on the left!
Janine Fountain