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Brotherly Love on Brother’s Day

 

Happy Brother's Day everyone! I hope your siblings are not giving you too much trouble. Most brothers are seen by their siblings as troublemakers, idols, or their best friends. Sticking with you through thick and thin is what we want in a brother, and no one shows this more than Sam MacQueen and Felix Stranger from the film Ways to Live Forever. Now you may be thinking to yourself, "Hey, they're not actual brothers in the movie, they're just friends." Well, astute reader, you are right, but who says that a brother has to solely be a biological one? Your brother can be anyone you feel has a close connection to you. Sam and Felix both went through a common struggle and found ways to enjoy their lives even when there was something fatal such as cancer looming over them. That's what these characters did for one another: support each other in the wake of tragedy. Even though eating worms is not something I advise doing, it was a bonding experience for the boys, even if it was just learning to never eat worms ever again. Who knows if Sam would have started making videos without Felix being there, possibly causing a different title to come about unless they found another way to live for forever. If you would like to see Ways to Live Forever then click this link.

WTLF Brother

Another film brother duo is Mike and Rusty from the movie Rusty Steel, who end up finding Nazi gold but only through endless fun and adventure. Their interactions with one another make them seem like fire and ice where Rusty tries to find the value in things such as the boat given to them by their uncle, while Mike really only sees money as a valuable item. Even these differences, however, do not break their bond and in the end, they are strengthened by the journey they went through. You can watch the movie at this link.

Rusty Steel Brother

Whether biological or fake, you have a person in your life that you consider a brother. Through trials and tribulations, you find the value in being near those you cherish. So today, maybe dealing with your brother for a day isn't so bad.  

 

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Appreciation of Friends & Siblings on National Brother’s Day

 

Do you have a brother? Or are you, yourself, a brother? Well, today’s the day to treat your brother or get spoiled by a sibling because it’s National Brother’s Day! Don’t have a brother? Why not take a friend out that you see as a brother? Brotherhood goes beyond just being siblings or sharing a parent or parents. No, brotherhood extends to those you consider close to you, the guys that support you even through your dumbest ideas. Brotherhood is about being there for one another through thick and thin and showing that you care.

Sam (Robbie Kay) and Felix (Alex Etel) have a bond that goes deeper than anything than they had in the film Ways to Live Forever, where the two saw each other beyond their illnesses. They saw each other as friends - even best friends - to the point where they were brothers to one another. Sam and Felix found brotherhood through their illnesses and together they tackled on a to-do list before death. That kind of bond is rare to come by. So today on National Brother’s Day, celebrate your own bond with your brother, whether they are related to you or not, and show them that you appreciate them!

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Brother’s Day: A Gift That Should Be Cherished

 

Everyone knows Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, but did you know that May 24th is Brother’s Day?  There is a special place held in our hearts for our brothers. Whether it is a big brother or a little brother, you can always count on them to be there for you. Sometimes they are there for you when you need help winning a battle or to pull you up when you are feeling down and out. Other times they are there when you just want to relax and have a beer. So take Brother’s Day to reach out to your brother and remind him how much he means to you. Arrange a time to take your brother out to catch up on your life and reminisce about your favorite memories.

Brothers do not necessarily have to be connected through a family tree; they can be symbolically connected through experiences and events that have united them. Brothers are the ones that are they for you during the moments of pure bliss, as well as when times are tough. It’s through these shared experiences where this bond is built.

A great example of ordinary men who became united as brothers through their extraordinary lives is the winner of six Emmy Awards, Band of Brothers Miniseries. It tells the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army and chronicles the experiences of these men who knew extraordinary bravery and extraordinary fear. Another film centered around the theme of brotherhood is Ways to Live Forever. This Brother’s Day worthy film that tells a story of 12-year old Sam who wants to know about UFOs, horror movies, ghosts, and girls. Sam,  played by actor Robbie Kay, also has leukemia, and although the adults in his life don’t want him to dwell on it, Sam wants to know everything about his disease and death, a possibility he might face. Through his sickness he meets another young boy with Leukemia. Sam and his newfound friend Felix, played by Alex Etel,  embark on a journey to explore the world around. Although these two meet through unfortunate circumstances, they were able to enjoy their lives as best as any blood brothers.