Dear younger Brother

I hope this letter finds you amidst one of your epic messes, the kind that leaves you scratching your head and wondering what on earth just happened. You know, the sort that gets you into trouble but always leaves you with a story worth telling. Because, let’s be honest, life without those moments would be as dull as Dad’s old fishing stories.

I urge you to make mistakes. Not just the little ones that can be easily brushed off, but the big, bold, terrifying ones that make your heart race and your stomach flip. Yes, those! The kind that makes you question your sanity for even attempting them. Why? Because without error, there’s no room for growth. Think about it, every stumble is just a disguised lesson, every setback a stepping stone toward something greater.

Remember when you tried to fix the lawnmower? You were convinced you could do it better than the mechanic. It took you three days, a box of band-aids, and half of Mom’s garden tools, but you eventually got it working. Sure, the lawn looked like it had been mauled by a bear, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that you learned more in those three days than you would have if you’d just let the mechanic do his thing. And now, every time you see that perfectly imperfect lawn, you smile.

See, brother, mistakes are the universe’s way of teaching us without giving us a manual. They’re the spice in the recipe of life, the unexpected plot twists in our stories. And just like in the movies, those twists keep things interesting. So, don’t fear them - embrace them, dance with them, and laugh at them. After all, they’re a part of your journey and trust me, they make the destination all the more rewarding.

Now, about things making sense in time - well, that’s the tricky part. Life has a funny way of tying things together when you least expect it. It’s like trying to understand Mom’s secret chili recipe - you might not get it at first, but give it time, and all the flavors will blend perfectly. Sometimes, you won’t realize the purpose of a mistake or a failure until much later, when it clicks into place like the final piece of a puzzle.

Take my word for it; those moments when nothing seems to make sense, when the world feels like a jumbled mess of uncertainties, are the ones that matter most. They’re the seeds of something beautiful, something that will bloom when the time is right. So be patient, little brother. Trust the process. I know it’s easier said than done - especially for someone as stubborn as you, but I promise it’s worth it.

And hey, don’t take life too seriously. There’s humor in everything if you look closely enough. When you’re knee-deep in chaos, find a reason to laugh. Like the time you accidentally texted your crush instead of me, asking for advice on how to ask her out. That was legendary, and yes, I’m still laughing about it. But you know what? It was a mistake that led to something good. You both laughed and now you’ve got a story to share for years to come.

So, dear brother, as you navigate through the maze of life, I want you to remember these three things: First, mistakes are not your enemy, they’re your greatest teachers. Second, trust that everything will make sense in time, even if it doesn’t seem like it now. And third, find humor in every situation, because laughter is the glue that holds everything together.

Lastly, I want you to know that I’m here, cheering you on from the sidelines. Every stumble, every triumph, every awkward dance move - I’m right there with you, just a call or text away. So go out there, make your mistakes, live your stories, and don’t forget to share them with me when you do.

With a hearty laugh,

Your older (and slightly wiser) sibling