h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On Sunday, my brother - seven years younger than me - flew to America to work at Disney for six months. When he finishes work, he wants to stay on for a month and travel, probably taking a road trip up as far as New York. Lucky devil

Before he went, he came to us to visit for a couple of days; a fleeting visit, but it was great to catch up. We've spent long periods apart since our parents divorced before he reached his teens; Mum took him to Bristol to live, and I kind of roamed around for a few years before settling back in Torquay. I've never felt that we've been apart, though - every time we meet up, it feels like no time has passed at all, and we both still have the same daft sense of humour we had when we were teenagers.

I've always taken great pride in his achievements and I've been in quite a privileged position; a few years ahead, I've watched him follow me up the valley of life. And he's done really well, with an engineering degree and a wonderful girlfriend. I feel closer to him than anyone; I have two parents, two grandparents, loads of aunts and uncles, but I'll only ever have one brother. When it came to choosing a best man, there was never a decision to be made.

It's odd, because when he was in Birmingham I didn't need to make any serious effort - Ed was in the UK, and I could be at his house in three hours if I wanted to be. Florida is a different matter. Checking in at the airport alone would take that long.

Now he's across the Atlantic, and, although I don't feel sad at all that he's gone - it will be a wonderful experience for him - I really do miss him. I think I've realised that he's a grown man with his own life and his own dreams, and that maybe I'm not such a 'big' brother anymore. Maybe it's about time I started looking up to him instead

Ed, I know you pop in and check up on me now and then, so if you do read this, I'm missing you and I hope you're settling in out there. Christmas is going to be weird without you - isn't it always weird in the hotel, though? - but I'm thinking of you all the time and I can't wait to catch up with you. Take care, lil bro, and as I say - the world is yours. It's taken a bit of time, but I'm just realising how much I'm going to miss you.

From across the ocean, I'm sending you all the love in the world every minute of every day and hoping they're taking care of you out there. Todo mi amor, mi hermano.

<< he's a grown man with his own life and his own dreams, and that maybe I'm not such a 'big' brother anymore >>

Wrong! You'll always be his "big" brother.

Hopefully this little soujourn will bring you closer in spirit, now you'll have time to properly *miss* each other



PS May his Guardian Angel watch over him on his travels

Blood is thicker than water, so even though there is a huge expanse of water between you and your brother, he's still with you and always will be

My little brother is now at least a foot taller than me. But I'll always think he needs a bit of looking after - he's five years younger than I am.

I'm lucky that all my brothers are finally 'settled' in the same town. There was a time we weren't all so close. Nothing is as important to me as my family.

It's nice to see some siblings get on. Me and my lil sis get on well but I don't have the same relationship with my other sister. I'm the eldest daughter in the family and I feel I've had poor success in leading the way. I do hope that they follow their own paths and not look up to me. We are all on one level. Even though some people think they are loved more or whatever. Anyway I'm waffling. I hope your brother has a great time with Mickey and Minnie in America. Perhaps you could go out there and surprise him. Take care Skanky.

opti

Just had my first email from him

Aww. Hope he's having fun!

It is a real downer when families spread out like this. We are five siblings in five countries and it takes a real effort to keep the relationships familial. I think it is wonderful you two are so close. A rare and wonderful thing, Rich