My Brother's 'Gift' for My Birthday...

So today was my birthday, I'm the oldest in the family with a ten-year gap between me and my brother. Now, let's just say that over the years, he hasn't exactly been the most thoughtful gift-giver. I've gotten things like used socks, old textbooks, and once... an empty box labeled 'Future Plans.' Yeah, it’s pretty funny in hindsight but not so great when you're opening your present... This year, I was just hoping for something a little less... well, everything. So imagine my surprise (and maybe disappointment) when he presented me with a rather large cardboard tube. It looked like the kind you get wrapping paper rolls in. Now, being the good older sister that I am, I figured this must be his attempt at getting it right... I unwrapped it carefully and to my surprise... nothing. It was just empty! I'm sure he thought it would be funny but honestly? Not so much. It's not like I have a collection of empty tubes or anything. So there we were, in this awkward moment where I had to fake happiness because birthdays are supposed to be joyful... After some awkward small talk (you know, about the weather and stuff), my parents kind of intervened by steering us toward dinner. It’s not like I'm angry, okay, maybe a little, but it's just disappointing. I mean, what kid doesn’t want their older sibling to do something nice for them on their birthday? So there you go... another year passed with the same old shenanigans from my brother and an empty tube of cardboard that could have been anything but wasn't. Maybe next time he'll surprise me, or maybe I’ll just settle for a well-intentioned attempt at something practical. Anyway, happy birthday to me... and here’s to hoping next year is better...