(((Ygrec))) - this was a most enjoyable post to read and yes you're lucky to have your brother. I bet he's happy to have you as well. I also have an older brother who's great - he's 14 yrs older than me but never had that "I'm your big brother attitude". He's never once said or done an unkind thing to me. When I was 2 my father died and he 16 - my mother was devastated with 5 kids. He became the rock of the family and I have more early memories of him caring for me than anyone else.

I'm very sorry you and your wife are going through hell financially. We also went through bankruptcy 10 months ago. Good to know you have a shoulder to lean on.