So, the following is something that is intimately personal. Tony, my baby brother who isn't such a baby anymore at 21, wrote this for a writing class in college and I asked him if I could post it here because it was so special and means a lot to me.

It's interesting reading his version of what happened when I was there living it too, and how much his memories are only a tiny sliver of everything that was actually happening. I'm glad I could protect him from remembering those things, cause trust me when I tell you, they weigh a lot, but I'm carrying his weight too, as it should be.

My sister, Vivian, has been many things in my life. She has been my sibling, my guardian, and my guidance. She took on the roles of sister, mother, and mentor without complaint or protest. I should have expected as much considering the type of person Vivian is. Throughout my life, my definition of family has always been variable. It changed over and over again as I got older and I would not be surprised if it continued to transform.

We begin this story as a child. When I was five years old, my parents separated. My mother decided, for whatever reason, she didn