Sad News for my Bro

I'm up on Brazilian/Argentinian time (4 hours ahead of PST) - I'm all messed up...heheh...

My brother Mike went through grueling physical and psychological training over several months in Southern summer heat for a certain government-related job, and in one fell swoop with one mistake, it was all taken away...all of his hopes and dreams for a future planned in his head and heart gone, vanished, no second chance whatsoever. He is understandably devastated and blames himself, feels like he let us down - no no no on the contrary, my brother, I couldn't be more proud of Mike for making it as far as he did. Many people throughout his training were sent home because they didn't pass incremental tests or they just didn't cut it - he made it all the way through and graduated. I couldn't be more proud of his drive and determination and for him to finish says a lot about his character and strength right there. I know it and see it.

I know how it feels to work for something so hard and then fall flat on my face, crying, feeling like the world is seemingly crashing around, feeling gravity pulling my body to the ground with an unnatural force, but eventually you muster up the strength to get back up again, right foot first then left, and either try again or find a new direction, learn from past experiences and mistakes and take that first step forward with all your might, stumbling, maybe falling again but eventually stabilizing to strength. He'll be all right. I know he will because he comes from the same heart and determinated upbringing that I do, it's in us and nothing will bring us down. We are one of the same and I will send, give him whatever energy I have left to help push him through.

I just returned from my trip and heard about this from my mom early yesterday morning. Because we are brother-sister, because he's not one to come to me when he's down, because we're 12 years apart and were never inherently close, because it's sometimes hard to say these things to your own family, I put a care package together with souvenirs I bought for him and his girlfriend from my trip and included a card that said so much and added the above with additional words of encouragement to "get right back up when you are ready". The card said the following, and it couldn't have said what I want to say to him any better.

I believe in you --
in the things that are important to you
and in the way you choose
to live your life...
I believe that you can accomplish
anything you set out to do,
that you have many talents
and the wisdom to use them well...
I believe that you have what it takes
to overcome obstacles
and to grow from every experience
life brings your way...
I believe in your courage
your compassion,
your integrity,
and your strength.
I believe
in your goodness...
I believe in you.

- Bobbie Burrow

To my brother, Mike, with love
Your Proud Sister,
Maile
(enclosed please find a beach towel with the Brazil flag across it for you, magnets made by Rio local artists for you both, and earrings for Sally - all from wondrous Rio de Janeiro) :)