a brother's birthday

it's my brothers birthday.
i have only one.
so celebrating your day is an extra special occasion.
porter is my closest sibling in age.
my criminal partner in crime.
best friend since i can remember.  
i've spent more time battling out life or watching life's battles with you than with any other.
you see, porter's life has been a series of tiny wars that most never dream of fighting.
few have seen you struggle, because you easily portrays your victories.
i have a respect for you like few ever really can- because i was there when you were 4 and 8 and 12 and 25 and every age in between.
i saw firsthand how you've triumphed- triumphed over simple battles i never had to wage.
i've lived my whole life admiring you, my baby brother.
you've instilled in me a sense of admiration like i hold for no one else.
besides a tenacious ability to overcome obstacles you have a million other admirable qualities,
many indescribable, but i'd like to describe a few.
kindness to you, porter, has always been second nature.
you're the kind of kid that took a girl on a date and paid for her and all her friends.
along with your kindness you have an extra helping of unselfishness.
name a need and if at all possible you would act as aid.
witty- it's one of your finest characters.
i believe wit is directly correlated with smartness, if that's true, you're a closet genius.
porter, you're one of the wisest people i know.
you're where i turn for specific advice i know only you could ever give so perfectly.
your patience, well, your level is in a whole new realm compared to everyone else.
you are stubborn, and it's precisely what you needed to be to overcome.
stubbornness has never been displayed so poignantly and beautifully.
every day you exhibit a type of bravery like no one i know- not just to do everyday things we take for granted, but to respectfully respond to being stared at and questioned constantly.
i don't know how you've been so brave, but i hope you know it's never been unnoticed.
you're:
funny
genuine
trustworthy
reliable
honest
faithful
accepting
as well as a slew of other qualities.
i know i often downplay how i feel about you porter, i act as a reality check more often than not.
i've perhaps been hardest of all on you.
today,
on your birthday,
i hope you know you've been my hero as long as i can remember.
i'm grateful every day july 17 brought me you, my baby brother, as well as and all the hundreds of other things you are and always have been.
happy birthday porter.