I didn't see a family thread, but I need to vent. Today my brother left for boot camp to become a Marine. He's only 19, two years younger than me. It hasn't sunk in yet. Last night we played videogames and then this morning we passed the football around. We spent all summer fishing and watching movies and hanging out whenever we could. Now he's gone for 13 weeks and when he comes back not only will he come back a man but he'll be a changed man. This will be the first year without Christmas together which hasn't sunk in either. I didn't cry as much as I thought. I started to cry when I hugged him goodbye and I started to cry when my mom broke down at lunch. I've already written my first letter to him. I promised him I would write to him every single day. If you could keep my brother in your thoughts and prayers I'd really appreciate it.