Henry James Daniel

My Baby Brother Henry James is Graduating From High School

I truly don’t even know where to begin this blog post because I’m overwhelmed with nostalgia. In case anyone was wondering, Henry James Daniel is my favorite person in the entire world. There is no one else that holds the weight in my heart that he does, he is my baby. We have come full circle, from me buying his food and driving him everywhere throughout my time in high school to him now picking me up and taking me out; he has blossomed from a boy to a man in-front of my eyes. Looking back on our childhood, it seems as though the years have flown by; but I am so grateful to have been there to see all of his milestones. I was there at the hospital when he was born through an emergency C-section and had to stay in the NICU for weeks. I was at his pre-school, elementary school, and middle school graduations. I saw him get baptized in the same basement pool I was baptized in. He picked me up the day he got his drivers license. I went with him to get his wisdom teeth out, and laughed harder than I ever have that day. He honored me by inviting me to every one of his football visits, I still have all the guest passes and pictures of him on the various fields. I went to every one of his high school games I could, and I was there to see him sign his letter of intent to play football at my alma mater’s rival A&T. I have been closely watching him grow since the day he was born, and I have never been more proud of anyone. As much as I have watched him grow, he has watched and supported me grow. God truly blessed me by sending Henry James to be my baby brother.

Henry has always had extreme ADHD, meaning there was never a time anyone could get him to sit down. He never crawled, he threw himself around until he figured out how to walk at about 7 months old. Following his trend, he never wanted training wheels, he ran beside his bike until he learned how to ride it. When I matured, I realized how I may have affected his confidence through competitive teasing as a child. Henry had a speech impediment as a young child and was held back in first grade, not because he wasn’t smart but because all he wanted to do was run; I didn’t understand this until I grew up. It truly hurts my heart to think about the mean little things I would say to him as a child, and I’ve made sure to make up for my shortcomings as an older sister by praising all of his amazing accomplishments. He is and always has been a “doer”, never needing or wanting any explanation; he will always work harder than everyone around him to carve his own unique path and I look up to him for his life mentality.

Somehow, even though Henry is my baby brother, he has guided me through many times in my life. Always forcing me to stick to summer workout plans and helping me move from place to place (even when he didn’t want to). He has been there through all of my milestones, watching what I’m doing and laughing at my unnecessary life drama. Henry’s presence is something that I have truly valued in my life; he is understanding and helpful but will surely tell you “yeah, you’re just dumb”.

I have looked forward to seeing all of Henry’s hard work and dedication pay off; and today on his graduation day he is reaping the fruits of his labor. I am more than proud that the little boy I watched grow up has truly become a man, and is now moving into the next chapter of his life. Although he will now be an Aggie, which is problematic to say the least (EAGLE PRIDE), I am excited to watch him excel at the next level and I will always remain his biggest fan. Henry is blessed and highly favored, I know God will be guiding him during his collegiate journey!

Join me in congratulating Mr. Henry James Daniel for graduating Cum Laude from South Granville High School!