It Only Makes Us Stronger(Story Sample)

“I wish you didn't have to go.” She was sitting on her brother's window seat, watching him pack his things. He would soon be leaving, going to the Middle East. “Someone has to help protect our country Bailey. I believe this is what God wants me to do. He'll be with me, and he'll be with you while I'm gone.” He sounded so sure. So confident. So strong. She wished that she had his same surety. That same confidence. That same strength. She loved her brother. He was her best friend. Sometimes he was the one she could talk to. He would sit down and listen to her, and he always gave the best advice. She felt like she was losing him. “Bailey, what are you thinking?” She sat there, trying to find the right words to tell him all the things running through her head. “Bailey, what's up sis?” “I feel like I’m going to lose you Brandon. I mean, you've always been there for me. When I have a problem, your the only one I can turn to. When your gone, who is going to be there at 2 o'clock in the morning to drink coffee with me and listen to every little stupid thing that I need to say? Give me the advice I need when I need it? Who is going to say that one thing that makes my day? Who's that going to be?” She started crying. A flood of emotions she had not felt before nor did she understand how to express can crashing in. Brandon pud down the t-shirts in his hand and waked over to her and sat down next to her. He hugged her and kissed the top of her head “I know deep down inside that your doing the right thing, but , it doesn’t keep me from thinking of all the things that could happen to you over there. I have nightmares that something will happen and you won't come home. I hate it and and I don't want anything to happen to you. I love you, and I know your doing the right thing, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. I know you won't be over there forever, but,” she couldn't finish, she was crying to hard. Then Brandon, speaking in his sure, confidence, strong, and gentle voice, “I know what your feeling. I’ve felt the same things. But Bailey, I’ve also been praying about it a lot. Bailey, I strongly believe that this is where God wants me to be. He is putting me in this place to help change some things in me, things that could not otherwise be changed. Maybe God is going to use this to do something in you that you don't know about yet, but it's all part of a greater plan. He will use it to bring Him glory and to show who He is. But we got to be willing vessels for Him to show Himself through. He won't give us more then we can handle. Ok?” “Ok.” He always know how to handle things. “Bailey. Brandon. Time for dinner.” their mother yelled up the stairs. “Well I don't know about you, but I’m starving. Come on, lets go eat.” As Brandon got up, she did to and followed him down the stairs to the table. When they sat down, their mom and dad was sitting there waiting for them. “You guys alright up there?” their mom asked. “Yeah, just talking.” Brandon replied. He looked at her and she smiled. “Well I hope your hungry because we ordered pizza. Extra cheese, your guys' favorite.” said their dad. “Did you remember extra dipping sauce?” Brandon asked. “Well of course. What's pizza crust without sauce? Oh and did I mention it's stuffed crust?” their dad said with a grin. “You know us to well.” she told him. “Well lets quite talking about this food, pray and eat.” he told them. Brandon prayed and they began to eat. After they finished, the girls washed, dried, and put away the dishes and the guys cleaned off and washed off the table. When they were done, they pulled out the cards and played euchre. Brandon and Bailey verses the parents. The kids won by four and then by one. They put away the cards and the parents went to bed. Brandon and Bailey ran to the store down the road and got a gallon of ice cream. When they got home, they ate a bowl, washed their dishes, and went to bed, “Goodnight Brandon. I love you.” she called from her room. “Goodnight Bailey. I love you too. Sleep good.” she heard him call back from his room next door. She quickly changed into her pj's and got in her bed. As she lie there, looking out the open window, feeling the cool North Carolina air on her face, she wondered about what the future held.