Will has always needed less sleep than Ben. From day one he has been the one to wake up first. He is also the last man standing when it is time for bed. He fights sleep. Sometimes it's because he just wants to delay the process. Sometimes he seems genuinely afraid.
We started to say in our prayers at night, "Thank you for my comfy bed, my warm blankies, the stars above my head, and thank you for my brother who will keep me safe through the night." Ben takes that last line pretty serious. As soon as we leave the room it is a given Will will start to cry. When he does, Ben says in his softest sweetest voice "It's ok brudder. I'm here. Not cold. Not dark. I can see you, you see me?" The string of comments continue through the baby monitor. Pretty much anything we've ever told Will to help him calm down, Ben is now reciting.
While Ben is brave at bed time, he gets really scared at the doctor office. It makes sense. Between ENT visits for his ears, allergy appointments, and regular doctor appointments, he gets poked for blood and such a lot. This is where Will puts on his brave face for the sake of his brother. Will goes first almost always at each appointment. The last time we got their tubes checked at the ENT they had to do several hearing tests too. None of which hurt, but their ears are so sensitive. Ben was scared. Once Will went first he told Ben, "Your turn Benjamin!" With a big smile and a pat on the back. When Ben finished Will said, "You did it. Good job brudder!"
Watching these things all play out makes me so happy that for a life time I know my boys will have each others back.
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