Today is my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, Stacey.

Internet still down at home. Blah. Four days and counting.

…to my brother, on the occasion of his one year anniversary.

Though we may argue heatedly at times, though we don't always see eye-to-eye, I'm more proud of you than you know, and more appreciative than I can possibly express. I see in you a mirror image of myself, not as I am, but as I might have been. A me that grew up not as the oldest child, but as the youngest.

We are a lot alike, you and I, as all mirrors must be. I've seen you grow more like me over the years, developing similar interests and mannerisms and attitudes toward certain things. Short of raising my own children, I can't imagine anyone will ever understand me better.

But no mirror is an exact copy, and some mirrors reflect an improvement. You are your own person, and I've taken note of the differences of temperament and personality that make you unique. You think for yourself, and I could have found no lesson I would have rather instilled in you. You hold in your hands things that I can still dream of. You have strengths of character I lack, of which you are perhaps not even aware, and you have your entire adult life spread out before you to turn those strengths into success.

So, to my brother, I raise this toast, in the celebration of your first yearr of marriage, and in hope of many years of future success and happiness.