Alvin and I look a lot alike. We both have brown skin, big brown eyes and funny shaped noses.

Alvin and I may look alike but we are not alike. We like some of the same things- Our dog Diamond How much we love Oreo cookies Playing in the backyard Swimming Football Basketball and Trains

I like being Alvin's younger brother. Being brothers does not mean that we are the same. I am 2 years younger, I love cars and baseball cards and I have lots of friends.

Alvin is skinnier than me, he is taller than me, and he can't seem to sit still-but when Alvin is not feeling well he gets very quiet, sits alone and will take long naps. Alvin has the biggest smile in the world- I like to call him smiley!

I always like being happy, chasing lightening bugs, reading comic books with my granny and playing Uno.

But Alvin is different, his eyes are yellow at times, he might cry a lot, and always seems sad. He sticks really close to mommy- he never wants to leave her side.

Mommy seemed really worried about Alvin. She spent a lot of time taking him to the doctor and giving him medicine. He was always in pain and hurting-I knew something was wrong.

Mommy wanted me to understand why Alvin cried a lot and seemed sad many days. There were many days and nights that Alvin had to stay in the hospital- mommy stayed with him too.

That made me sad..to see Alvin this way.

It was hard for Alvin to play for long periods of time with me or other kids. He never could tell us how he really felt. That made mommy sad but she always treated Alvin normal and wanted him to fit in.

When Alvin wanted to do something he learned to give it his all. Even when he was not feeling well. Sometimes it was hard to be Alvin's younger brother. When he is feeling good he smiles hard and he beats me at everything- every game, every race, everything. Other times it can be hard because Alvin is in pain, feeling sad in the hospital.

There are times when I wish I could trade places with Alvin, go to the doctor for him, miss school for him and take his medicine for him. I know that Alvin would love to trade places with me too- making friends, playing sports in school and not in pain.