I like to think of Einstein as my first born since I got him my last year of college. As a kitten he was awkward and unbalanced. Since he hadn't grown into his frame he would constantly fall into the toilet or off the counter into the trash can.

By the time Jade was born he was six years old. At first I was nervous about how he would take to her. But he acted like her big brother right from the start. He'd wait for her all day to get home from daycare so he could walk her up to the front door. He'd walk a few steps then turn and wait patiently for her to catch up with him until they made it into the house every day.

And like most siblings as they got older he took every opportunity to claim things that belonged to her as his own.

We lost him this summer right before my daughter started the third grade. It was a devastating loss for our family. But we have countless memories and pictures like the ones I shared in this post. Reminding us of the joy, laughter and occasional grumpiness he brought to our lives. This is the last pic (promise) of Jade's older brother Einstein. Isn't he handsome?