A lot of my friends and family know that I often write from experience and perspectives in life. Many of the things that inspire me to write are loved ones and other things I may be passionate about. Every now and then, I’ll dabble in a funny story about my mom, other family members, or my friends. But for now, I really want to write about someone I am very proud of and love very much…….my brother Edgar.
He may or may not like the idea that I’m writing about him, but I’m hoping he gives me a chance to say what I want to say. Because honestly, he deserves more credit than what is written on this page.
Edgar and I grew up very close to age. He’s only a year and one month older than me so the fact that we were really close as kids was pretty much a given. When we were growing up in new campo we would always be competitive about almost anything. From running to mom and dad’s station wagon and see who gets there first on our way to the store, to competing who would get dressed for school the quickest in the mornings. One of my most memorable memories when we were kids was the fact that people kept mistaking us for twins. Everywhere we went, people always thought we were twins. Even his baseball coaches would
tell me “Hey, when Edgar gets sick and can’t play, cover your hair with his cap and take his place!”
Looking so much like him kind of made me a bit of his shadow, especially in school, but it never made me feel disappointed or embarrassed. When I started jr. high, I remember his former teachers would say “Oh! You’re Edgar’s sister? Wow, you look so much alike.” Or, my favorite one that would always come up (note the sarcasm here), “Everyone, this is a great example of what I want all of you to do with your work (holds up papers). Jessenia this is your brother’s report from last year. See the detail and fine work? Just like this.” I doubt Mrs. Kellogg, mutual Biology and Anatomy & Physiology teacher, ever praised my work and said the same. I wish I
was as smart as Edgar. I don’t know if this is true because I’ve never asked him, but it always looked like everything came so easy to him. I had endless hours of sitting on the living room floor working on homework, while he took an hour or two at the dining table and ends up graduating #9 out of his entire high school class. I was #83, which says a lot. I had to fight for that #83 spot!!
Friends come really easy to him. Like today, he’s very social and easy to get along with. He may have a lot of friends, but he’s got this certain group of friends that have always been there for him. I know that when our dad died our brother Chava was
there to help us and mom get through it. But when we lost Chava, I feel as though his friends gave him a comfort that nobody else could. And for that I am very grateful. If I miss someone, I apologize – Raymond, Pete, Lodi (Jose), Monster (Richard),
and everyone else that was there and still is – Thank you. I know our mom has always seen that he is surrounded by great friends. You guys have been a part of his life for so long that one drunken Christmas Eve night a few years ago, Pete told me “Man, you guys are the best. You guys are like my second family. I love all of you.” Sorry Pete! I had to include this!!
Around the time when Edgar was going to be leaving for college, I remember how excited I was to finally not fight over the bathroom in the mornings. I had usually used mom’s bathroom but really wanted the hall one because it was bigger. I know it sounds totally mean, but I was just looking forward to having that bathroom to myself from that
day on!! Not once did I think about how much I was going to miss him. Yes, we did have brother-sister fights, many that I regret and didn’t mean, but I didn’t think about how I was going to feel once he left. I guess my emotional reaction to him graduating high school said it all. I couldn’t find him on the field where the ceremony was taking place because it was packed full of people with their loved ones. But once I spotted him, I ran to him, buried my face in his chest and cried my eyes out. I was just so damn proud.
The day came to help him move into his own apartment and a lot of us went. He was going to be attending Cal Poly Pomona so a lot of us went to help him get set up. If I remember correctly, my mom went, three of my sisters, and Chava too. Lupe helped set up his kitchen while some of us complained about how small it was. When it was time to leave, I remember getting this somber feeling over me and came to the sudden realization that we were no longer going to live together. I gave him a big hug, got into my sisters car, and fought back tears as we drove away. I never told him this because God forbid I tell my brother that I love him (again – sarcasm). The house no longer felt complete after that. There was always something missing. His spirit was away at school and I missed him terribly. One night, my mom was lying on her bed watching TV in her room when I walked in, hugged her, and told her that I missed Edgar so much. All she could do is hug me back and say “Yo tambien, mija” (me too). And he still doesn’t know this, so this is the first time he’s finding out about everything through this blog.
When his college graduation came, it was another moment of fighting back tears because I didn’t want anyone to see that I was such a chillona (cry baby). I kept my sunglasses on and got as close as I could possibly get for his pictures. Many people don’t know this, but Edgar has a tremendous heart. Especially for our mother. I wish I could help mom out the way he does. But I’m not there yet and when I am, I’ll only try my hardest to measure up to him as much as I can.
He may not be very vocal about the love he has for everyone in his life, but his actions speak louder than anything. I remember a conversation we once had when he told me “I just want to take care of mom and you guys.” I’ve never forgotten those words. I probably never will. With his birthday coming up, a baby on the way, and a beautiful future with Jeannette, I couldn’t be more proud and excited to have him as my brother. I know! Cheesy right! But oh so very true. I love you brother.
Your sister,
Chena :o)
(Jessenia Lua)
He may or may not like the idea that I’m writing about him, but I’m hoping he gives me a chance to say what I want to say. Because honestly, he deserves more credit than what is written on this page.
Edgar and I grew up very close to age. He’s only a year and one month older than me so the fact that we were really close as kids was pretty much a given. When we were growing up in new campo we would always be competitive about almost anything. From running to mom and dad’s station wagon and see who gets there first on our way to the store, to competing who would get dressed for school the quickest in the mornings. One of my most memorable memories when we were kids was the fact that people kept mistaking us for twins. Everywhere we went, people always thought we were twins. Even his baseball coaches would
tell me “Hey, when Edgar gets sick and can’t play, cover your hair with his cap and take his place!”Looking so much like him kind of made me a bit of his shadow, especially in school, but it never made me feel disappointed or embarrassed. When I started jr. high, I remember his former teachers would say “Oh! You’re Edgar’s sister? Wow, you look so much alike.” Or, my favorite one that would always come up (note the sarcasm here), “Everyone, this is a great example of what I want all of you to do with your work (holds up papers). Jessenia this is your brother’s report from last year. See the detail and fine work? Just like this.” I doubt Mrs. Kellogg, mutual Biology and Anatomy & Physiology teacher, ever praised my work and said the same. I wish I
was as smart as Edgar. I don’t know if this is true because I’ve never asked him, but it always looked like everything came so easy to him. I had endless hours of sitting on the living room floor working on homework, while he took an hour or two at the dining table and ends up graduating #9 out of his entire high school class. I was #83, which says a lot. I had to fight for that #83 spot!!Friends come really easy to him. Like today, he’s very social and easy to get along with. He may have a lot of friends, but he’s got this certain group of friends that have always been there for him. I know that when our dad died our brother Chava was
there to help us and mom get through it. But when we lost Chava, I feel as though his friends gave him a comfort that nobody else could. And for that I am very grateful. If I miss someone, I apologize – Raymond, Pete, Lodi (Jose), Monster (Richard),
and everyone else that was there and still is – Thank you. I know our mom has always seen that he is surrounded by great friends. You guys have been a part of his life for so long that one drunken Christmas Eve night a few years ago, Pete told me “Man, you guys are the best. You guys are like my second family. I love all of you.” Sorry Pete! I had to include this!!Around the time when Edgar was going to be leaving for college, I remember how excited I was to finally not fight over the bathroom in the mornings. I had usually used mom’s bathroom but really wanted the hall one because it was bigger. I know it sounds totally mean, but I was just looking forward to having that bathroom to myself from that
day on!! Not once did I think about how much I was going to miss him. Yes, we did have brother-sister fights, many that I regret and didn’t mean, but I didn’t think about how I was going to feel once he left. I guess my emotional reaction to him graduating high school said it all. I couldn’t find him on the field where the ceremony was taking place because it was packed full of people with their loved ones. But once I spotted him, I ran to him, buried my face in his chest and cried my eyes out. I was just so damn proud.The day came to help him move into his own apartment and a lot of us went. He was going to be attending Cal Poly Pomona so a lot of us went to help him get set up. If I remember correctly, my mom went, three of my sisters, and Chava too. Lupe helped set up his kitchen while some of us complained about how small it was. When it was time to leave, I remember getting this somber feeling over me and came to the sudden realization that we were no longer going to live together. I gave him a big hug, got into my sisters car, and fought back tears as we drove away. I never told him this because God forbid I tell my brother that I love him (again – sarcasm). The house no longer felt complete after that. There was always something missing. His spirit was away at school and I missed him terribly. One night, my mom was lying on her bed watching TV in her room when I walked in, hugged her, and told her that I missed Edgar so much. All she could do is hug me back and say “Yo tambien, mija” (me too). And he still doesn’t know this, so this is the first time he’s finding out about everything through this blog.
When his college graduation came, it was another moment of fighting back tears because I didn’t want anyone to see that I was such a chillona (cry baby). I kept my sunglasses on and got as close as I could possibly get for his pictures. Many people don’t know this, but Edgar has a tremendous heart. Especially for our mother. I wish I could help mom out the way he does. But I’m not there yet and when I am, I’ll only try my hardest to measure up to him as much as I can.
He may not be very vocal about the love he has for everyone in his life, but his actions speak louder than anything. I remember a conversation we once had when he told me “I just want to take care of mom and you guys.” I’ve never forgotten those words. I probably never will. With his birthday coming up, a baby on the way, and a beautiful future with Jeannette, I couldn’t be more proud and excited to have him as my brother. I know! Cheesy right! But oh so very true. I love you brother.Your sister,
Chena :o)
(Jessenia Lua)
