thanksgiving - day twenty one.

On the day of my birth, my parents signed a certificate, with my footprints on it, verifying that I was, in fact. . . a Humphreys.  One year and 355 days later, a baby boy showed up.  I'm pretty sure I asked for a sister, but my parents once again confirmed: he was a Humphreys.  Two years and 352 days later, another baby boy made his way into this world.  On that day, I think I had given up on the idea of a sister, and accepted reality that I would be the only princess in the Humphreys' household.  Before your level of concern is heightened, don't worry.  I've adjusted.

While we share the same last name, my little (mind you, they are now 6'3" and 6'4") brothers are most definitely individuals.  We have all chosen separate roads in life, but at the end of the day, WE ARE FAMILY.  [Insert melody from 1979 here.]  Today, I am thankful for who they are in my life!


Dominick will always be "Deej" in my world.  He is a loyal friend who, undoubtedly holds integrity at his number one core value.  Ask him for a definition and you will surely have a sermon coming your way.


I will never forget the day our cousin, Alan, took us on our first snowboarding adventure.  After a day of digging ourselves out of waist-deep powder and catching our heel edge over and over again, I walked into his room the next morning to see if he could move.  His response?  "I haven't tried yet."

 

In March, he took a trip to serve kiddos living in an orphanage in Guatemala.  I can't wait to see where God is leading him next!

Derek.  Oh, my Little Bear.  Almost once a week, I run into someone and they say something to the affect of, "I saw your brother last week!"  Let me guess.  King Soopers.  Gets 'em every time.  My dad has always described him as the "happy kid of the family."  Derek has one of the most genuine, joy-filled smiles you will find and a hug to match.  When we visited family in Montana, our Great Aunt Gerry could hardly get enough.  The next time she was in Colorado, one of the first items on her agenda was to steal a hug from him.




Side note:  My dad's expression in the left pic is priceless.  It was taken in the Florida Keys, where Derek is in his element.  Something about the ocean and 90 degree temps makes this kid's day.  Promise him a shrimp dinner after a day of snorkeling and you would think he won the lotto.

Lesson #423:  You may never fully understand one another, but you will always be siblings.