Third in a line of girls, I was forced to give up my position as the baby of the family when my brother was born. You could tell my Dad was anxiously waiting to teach him about all things male, but growing up with three older sisters wasn’t setting the stage for his rough and tumble future. We all loved holding him and feeding him and he made a great addition to our pretend families when we played house.
I think all that nurturing was beginning to worry Dad because one day he announced that it was about time for him to be completely done with bottle feeding. He was a toddler by that time and was only getting an occasional bottle but as a milestone it suddenly became very important. My brother did not take to the idea and what could have been a war of wills was turned into a unique Right of passage designed by my Dad. We lived on the banks of the Fox River and we were all called to assemble down by the water’s edge one Sunday afternoon. My brother came, bottle in hand with my mom and dad. Dad announced that my brother was now a big boy and big boys did not drink from bottles so he was going to throw his last bottle into the river. My Dad held his hand to steady him and after a little encouragement my brother threw the bottle into the water. Cheers all around and that was that as we all marched back up the bank to Sunday dinner.
When I think about all the times in my life that I had to let go of the past before I could take the next step toward a new beginning I picture my Dad steadying my brother and making him feel strong and capable. I know my Heavenly Father is always there for me, steadying me and loving me through the letting go if I walk hand in hand with Him.
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