A Little Special

“He will be a little special”, I heard the doctor say
When he first came into our lives that windy autumn day
My parents tried to tell me that my brother would be slow
But how do you explain that to a six year old, you know?

Down’s syndrome is what they called it though I didn’t understand
He’d need help from his brother and they hoped I’d lend a hand
My parents named him Nicholas, then shortened it to Nick
But Nicky was the name we used that always seemed to stick

When Nicky got to come home, I just didn’t want him there
My Mom put his crib in her room, to give him special care
At first I couldn’t stand him because he didn’t look like me
I wouldn’t bring my friends around for fear that they might see

I tried to sneak up to his bed to peek at him, and then
He’d see me there and his small face would break into a grin
No matter just how mean I was, I’d always see that smile
And he’d be glad that I was there, if only for a while

When he could walk, my brother tried to follow me around
And he would bring and share with me the little things he found
Though they were only rocks and such, he wanted me to know
That I was his big brother and he really loved me so

Every day there after school when I came running in
Nicky would be waiting there to greet me with that grin
It didn’t matter what I did or how boring it might be
Nicky was excited just to spend some time with me

As we got older Nicky would from time to time get sick
Others might have got depressed, but not my brother Nick
He faced all of his problems and he never did complain
Though many of the tests they ran must have caused him pain

The doctors told my parents Nicky had a weakened heart
They weren’t sure how much time he had or when he might depart
But Nicky always had that smile no matter what life brought
He loved to give us hugs whether he felt okay or not

Nicky passed away last night, his loving heart was stilled
I think that with all of that love it was just overfilled
Even in his final hours, that smile was on his face
A tender loving soul went on to be in heaven’s grace

“He will be a little special”, I can hear that doctor say
And that’s what heaven will find out when he gets there today
Special, because he showed us how we should love one another
Nicky I was truly blessed to have you as my brother