Congrats

Today was one of many tears and many memories lost and brought back. Today my little brother graduated from high school and like many big sisters, I sat in the stands so proud of who he is becoming. Though I also found it so ironic in so many ways to sit there are remember that day of mine three years ago. And here on the eve of his graduation, he is in the same position I was at, our parents leaving the home that has helped him become the person he is, moving away, leaving behind friends and memories and the familiarity that comes from a place that you know for a while.

And it suddenly hit me today, that while he is only just beginning such a long journey, he has accomplished so much but there are a few more things that I just want to put out there for all of you who might be moving on to something new this time of year. Just a few things that as someone a few years older has come to find out about life...

~don't ever give up on your family because in the end, no one else will ever know you like they do
~don't ever give up on your dreams, and fight for them to the very last breath
~no one tells you about the things that are going to break you the most: lost loves, heartaches, the struggles in life, but keep your head high and always remember the people that are there for you
~as you move along in your life, remember that it's okay to leave some things behind
~don't get stuck in something that you don't love
~always follow your heart
~remember the people that were there along the way but were the quiet watching from afar, sometimes they have the most meaning in your life
~don't ever forget where you came from or who you are
~but don't let where you came from hinder you from where you are going
~it's okay to be afraid, and in the next few years you will feel this emotion a lot
~find new friends and loves, but never forget the ones that you had so long ago
~you can roam the earth to try and find someone that understands you, but so often its the people right in front of you that know you the best
~don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something
~stand up for what you believe in, even if no one else does
~but don't be so ignorant as not to listen to what others have to say
~always remember to have fun, because when life gets busy and we get older, we so often lose touch of that
~find someplace that is all your own and hold on to it
~when you find someone that you want to spend your life with, hold on to them with all is takes, but don't ever let that love make you let go of what you really want
~love with all your heart
~and don't be afraid to show it

...and someday when you are far from home, and you feel like there is no place in the world that could make you feel whole, remember that family is always a phone call away, a friend is always a few hours on the plane away, and your sister, will always be there waiting for her little brother who needs help.

love,
casey

Congratulations Jame, you deserve the world!