What My Brother Taught Me
He sits before me and patiently waits
As a pair of socks I get from the drawer
Never a sound either one of us makes
When I quickly kneel down on to the floor
Then do I glance up at his patient face
While foot by foot his socks gently slip on
And it strikes me the irony of my place
With him up high and I down low alone
Wasn't it said that Jesus knelt before
His loyal friends to serve them in their needs,
Washing their feet so they were clean once more,
Empowering hearts through his kindly deeds?
So what now before me did my eyes behold?
It was me, not my brother sitting there.
No humbler vision that can ever be told,
For Jesus was assisting me in my care.
Kneeling before me addressing my needs,
He helps with things I could not myself do,
Strengthening and helping through his deeds,
Teaching me to know and see what is true.
When heavy burdening troubles seize me,
He stands nearby watching in great concern,
And feels compassion for my injury,
Comforting me when I towards Him turn.
Life is totally dependent on Him.
Through Him I am fully nourished and fed.
He supports me as I walk with weak limb,
As through this world I continue to tread.
Without His pure kindness, I cannot live,
For I find myself as the crippled one.
His life and great suffering did He give,
And through this gift a better world begun.
As my brother’s life depends upon me,
Does mine ever depend on God’s Son.
And as my brother trusts so patiently,
I should put my trust in the Holy One.Commentary:
Growing up with a sibling so close in age with disabilities, I don't remember living without my brother. Living with him is normal to me, though other people don't see it that way, and think I'm this wonder woman for taking care of him nearly my whole life. He requires help nearly 24/7 as he is not able to do anything for himself. He's unable to talk. He can't walk without assistance. His motor skills are at about a six month old's level due to his cerebral palsy. Basically, he's an adult baby. Some people would find letting such a person live would be a waste and get in the way of living life. I confess that taking care of him has caused me to give up certain aspects of life, but in a way he has taught me as much about life as anything else could. Ask anyone who has had to take care of a disabled child and they would confirm that as difficult as it could be dealing with such a person, it is also an invaluable and wonderful experience.This particular poem was written from another memory I had while I was helping him get ready to go somewhere. I put him in his wheelchair and was putting shoes and socks on him while this inspiration popped into mind. It is a clear Christianity poem; however, many other religions in the world have enough basic similarities in their belief that they may be able to understand the significance of what I'm trying to express here.
