Ramon and Pepe (4/23)

Imagine that you have a brother, and maybe you do. You grew up with him and you know almost everything about him: his friends, his favorite food, his mannerisms, his pet peeves, what he does to get in trouble, and more importantly, you know how to communicate yourself to him. He understands you and you understand him.

Now, imagine that you have that same brother, but you have never met him because you were separated at birth and given to different foster families. You know nothing about him. He would be a stranger to you. Even though you share the same blood, born from the same mother and held by the same father, yet you don't know him. You only know of him.

Maybe all that we know of nature says you should be able to know him, simply because you share blood? Probably not.

Now, keep imagining with me. This brother that you know you have is about to become a part of your life. You are only about 5 years old and this so called brother, but really a complete stranger, is about to come live with you and look up to you. He needs your leadership, he's only 3.

The best part: he is an exact physical replica of you when you were three years old.

Wouldn't you be proud? Wouldn't you want the world to know that this lil guy is related to you? You and him share the same blood? And he even looks like you, so much so that people that knew you at age three think that time has turned back a few years.

This is the case for Ramon. Ramon was separated from his younger brother, Pepe, before either of them have a memory of this separation. Ramon remembers me from when I was a part of his life for three short years. He is quick to point out Pepe as I pass by the playground.

"Miss Shelly?" Ramon states, almost as if he is asking a question. "Yes, Ramon." "Do you see that little boy over there on the pila?" Ramon gazes across the way at Pepe with hope in his eyes. He is has something to tell me and he thinks that I don't already know. He continues, "That's my little brother. His name is Pepe."

Little does Ramon know that I received news of this addition several months ago. "Oh really?" I comment, "How old is he?" Ramon precedes to tell me his age and a little bit more about Pepe. I can see the pure joy and excitement on Ramon's  face. His blood family has been given to him and now the two of them can grow up under the same roof, with the same foster parents; making memories that will last a lifetime.