Saturday, April 9, 2011

What I Learned From My Little Brother


Sometimes God teaches me stuff through movies. Sometimes He uses food. Oftentimes He uses my everyday life.
            One place I never expected to learn about God and the life He created was from a little boy named Caleb. Here are just some of the things this incredible kid taught me simply by being who he was.
·         Life is a gift that is undeserved. Every moment of every day is something that has been given to us and should be appreciated. Life isn’t long enough to complain about it.
·         Smiles conquer more than powerful words of wisdom. It is possible with a few flexes of cheek muscles to bring new life to someone who needs it.
·         Schedule regular time to just sit and talk with people. Have no agenda, have nothing you want to get out of them- just enjoy the company and let them enjoy yours, regardless of how old they are.
·         Sometimes the smallest one in a group has the most fun.
·         Sometimes life happens in ways you don’t want it to, just keep smiling and make more than the best of it.
·         Sometimes butter tastes good just by itself.
·         When you find something you like to eat, who cares if you eat it every day?
·         Make the joke anyway even if you know you are the only one who will think it’s funny.
·         Have no shame for what you have gone through.
·         Never act your age if you are having more fun being yourself.
·         When you find a good friend -whether stuffed or real- never, ever, let him go.
·         No matter how small you are, there is always somebody smaller for you to take care of.
·         Return the favor. All Caleb wanted to do was be a doctor so that he could do what had been done to him- heal kids. Use the things that life has handed you to bring others through the things life is handing them.
·         Age and stature matters very little when it comes to changing the world around you.
My little brother changed the world in twelve short years. Someday I want to reach as many people as he did.
Happy Birthday Caleb Patrick Semple, you would have made an extraordinary thirteen year old. You are still teaching me things.

1 comment:

  1. well kyle, i am having difficulty even responding to your post. you sound wiser than your years. unfortunately pain and suffering can cause wisdom :). so sorry for your loss and the void that will be in your heart for your brother. my prayer will be that you continue to fill that void with our Lord. He will bring you many blessings for your faithfulness. it sounds like you have been blessed with many pleasant memories of your brother. i lost my brother and unfortunately there are no pleasant memories, just pain for what should have been, sometimes those losses are harder to deal with but in any case, treasure those memories and keep them close to your heart. you will be in my prayers and may our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and keep you.

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