Today is a very special day, a very happy day. Why? Because my older brother, Tim, is graduating from medical school. I couldn’t be prouder of him.

    When my Mom was still pregnant with Tim, the doctors kept telling her to abort the baby, that he’d be born “retarded.” He came out just fine, in fact better than fine, save for a massive propensity for hyperactivity. When I was little, I could always turn to Tim whenever I needed anything, he was always there. And he was always cheerful, always willing to make anyone smile and laugh hysterically with his brilliant sense of humor. He has always been so kind, generous, and loving of everyone and every thing. One of my favorite memories of Tim was when he was around 18 years old. I would have been around ten or eleven, and one Sunday was sick and bored. Most teenage brothers would have been off doing their own thing, not willing to do much of anything with their kid sisters except tease them. But not Tim. I remember that Sunday, and countless Sundays after that, he would sit with me in the hallway of our home in Tucson, and he’d play “Rolly” with me – it was a simple game, it must have been terribly boring for him. He’d sit at one end of the hall, I’d sit on the other, and we’d roll a small basketball back and forth, back and forth, talking the whole time. We’d crack jokes, he’d make me laugh, and he was sweet enough to laugh whenever I attempted to tell one back. Tim was always there, really there, and little ten year old me loved him for it. He taught me a lot, about music, relationships, driving, and generally just being accepting of everyone and their differences. I looked up to him so much, and he had more of an influence on me than he probably realizes.

    Now all of us Lawver kids are grown up. Some of us even have kids of our own – Kevin, my eldest brother, has a gorgeous, hilarious wife who’s just perfect for him, and two charming, brilliant boys. Tim has a beautiful, intelligent wife, and now Tim gets to have a huge influence on another little girl – his sweet little daughter, Sam. He’s a wonderful Dad. I’ve been lucky enough to fly out to California a few times to see them, and I always love watching him play with her. I know Sam’s one lucky girl, and you can see the love she has for him in her eyes.

    Who would have thought, all those years ago, as I sat across the hall, looking into my brother’s face as we rolled that silly ball back and forth, that some day soon Tim would be a doctor. Time has flown by. Today’s the day, all those years later, Tim has finished a huge journey, one that has taken him so much time and effort. My brother, the Doctor. 🙂 I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s worked so hard and I know he’ll be brilliant. And best of all, now he’ll get to have an even bigger, grander impact on even more people, just like he did on me. Won’t they be lucky?

    Congratulations, Tim; all these years later and you’ve proven those doctors from all those years ago so very wrong. You’re a genius, you always have been, and it shows. But even better than that, even better than having all that intelligence and spark, you’re a wonderful human being with a big heart. Now, you’re a doctor, you get to go out into the world and help people when they need it most. I know you’ll work wonders for your patients, just like you always have for your family. I really wish I could be there with you to celebrate, but know that I’m thinking of you. I love you with all my heart and I always will.