TWENTY ONE

I remember being 21.
Old enough to drink, to drive, to go partying with my friends...
Old enough to get married. To have sex. To have a bf.
Not old enough to leave Argentina without my parents' consent.

In 21 days I'll see one of the most important men in my life: my older brother.
I admire him. I think he's the most amazing person I've met in my life.
I love him as I know I will never love any other person in this world.
My older brother was my 'idol' growing up.
I wanted to be like him.
I did all the things he did: he took English classes, so did I. He took piano lessons, so did I.
He was my shield for many things...
I loved his curly hair and his blue eyes. I often wondered why couldnt I be like him... fit, tall, pretty. Why I was the chubby little brown haired, green eyed, girl. I wanted to be blond with blue eyes!!!

I saw him last on 1/18/00.
We all drove to Buenos Aires and I dont even remember what happened that day at the airport. All I know is that day was the last time I saw him IRL.
Over these past 7 1/2 years... almost 8, I've seen my brother in pictures, thru the webcam. I've talked to him on the phone. I've had IM conversations.
I didn't think I was gonna see him again until I started planning his visit.
At the beginning it was only him.
Then it was him and Thomy.
Then it was him and Maki (SIL)
And one day I jsut told him: you know what? why don't ya'll come?

In 21 days I'll see my brother.
Not only my 32 year old brother, who I still remember single and fatherless, but my 4 1/2 year old nephew and my 2 year old nice... Kids I've seen only in picture.
Kids who believe tia Noelia lives in a computer screen.
Kids who believe I own the post office.
Kids who just know about me thru the 11,000 pictures my mom has in my house.

Today, for the first time I felt nervous about all this.
Coz in 21 days I'll see my brother.
I'll get to see his blue eyes.
His curly hair.
I'll get to hold his kids.

21 days is a long time...
but when you've waited more than 7 years...

...21 days is just nothing.