keys, words and smiles

i spent most of the weekend helping my brother move. he finally got the keys to his new place on friday and we've been busy transforming it into a homely palace. it's been exhausting but fun work - and i'm sure he really appreciated having everyone together at his place.

my brother and his partner are probably two of the most responsible young adults that i know. both are the same age - which puts them about 8 years younger than i am - and yet they have achieved more in terms of wealth and security than either me or most of my peers have so far or ever would. i really do admire the guts and determination that they both possess and it's safe to say that i'm quite rightly chuffed and proud.

long-time readers of this blog and those who know me personally would be familiar with the tumultuous relationship i've had with my younger brother, especially during his later teenage years when all we seemed to do was butt heads. it was a rebellious phase coupled by different personality traits that culminated in him moving out under the worst of circumstances - and there followed more than six months of dead silence when neither the two of us spoke. i often wonder how difficult that time had been for him.

years later, we've patched up our differences - and exchanged plenty of words along the way; some bad, some terse, but on the whole, all good.

taking a much-earned lunch break during sunday's effort, the whole family gathered around the table in my brother's new dining room. since it was going to be the first time that a meal would be shared in his home, i suggested having a thanksgiving prayer before we started to commemorate the special occasion. he must have been taken by surprise since we hardly ever do such things that my brother declined to lead. i wondered why but when asked, he simply shook his head. my sister volunteered instead.

after it was over and everyone got busy piling up their plates, i saw my brother dab quickly at his eyes. when he saw me looking, he smiled that sheepish smile that has been his trait since childhood.

i realised then why he had refused, why my little brother chose to remain quiet. not because he didn't have the right words to say. nor was he too shy to say them. he isn't the type.

no, the reason why my little brother was speechless is because, at times, words can simply be too much. smiles are more than enough.