Bruno, my brother 

It’s 2:45 p.m., and I’ve just walked for over 45 minutes. I’m exhausted. The day has been rainy and hasn’t spared me. I open the front door and, out of habit, check my mailbox. I don’t hear anything unusual, just the familiar rustling of advertisements that never fail to show up. But surprise: there’s a khaki envelope with two small stamps. I recognize the handwriting, no mystery about the sender.  
I feel the envelope, as if it might reveal what I’d see if I opened it right away. But I let the suspense linger. I know who sent it, yes, but I don’t see why he would send me this envelope. Could it be something I misplaced during one of my previous visits? I doubt it. Nothing feels urgent. No, nothing at all.  

I take the elevator, open the door to my apartment, set down the envelope and my things. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I open it. Yes, it’s Bruno. It’s my brother.  
Inside, there’s a postcard. The tears surprise me with how quickly they roll down my cheeks. On the front, it says London, showcasing all its highlights and extravagance: London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the Parliament, the Queen, Big Ben, and many other London treasures more than twenty in total.  

On the back, he wrote:  
“Dear Aliane, I’m living a dream I know you’d love to experience. I’m aware of that. May this postcard continue to feed your desire to discover this wonderful country, England. I hope you get to live each experience pictured on this card.”  

The tears keep flowing, like a typically London drizzle. Tears of gratitude for the gesture, the thoughtfulness, and the love I can feel in every word.  
My brother isn’t very talkative, but his actions speak volumes. The other day, he suggested we make sure to see each other at least once a month. This gesture touches me. Because he’s my brother. Because I know him. Because in his journey, he saw in me that same ease and desire to explore the world.  
Having a family is good. Having a family that loves you is wonderful. Having a brother who makes you feel this immense love is rare. And I’m lucky to be among those rare few!  
The postcard came with a photo of him taken in the locker room of his beloved Arsenal, along with a beautiful magnet.  

To love and to say it. To proclaim it loud and clear, that is my dearest wish. Ai-je noté dans mon carnet.  

You will find the article about her trip to London by clicking on this link: From Highbury to Emirates

Written by Aliane UMUTONIWASE