Baby Brother

Photo by Sam Christiansen

*Original post updated January 2020

Jon, the baby of our family, is pretty much universally adored. It’s been that way as long as I can remember. As an infant he was so adored by his four older siblings we once dropped him on the floor during a tussle over who was going to hold him. We were horrified! Oddly, I don’t remember which one scooped him up, thereby claiming victory.

Jonathan is eight years younger than me. Of my four siblings I lived with him the least amount of time, yet my memories of him as a child are very vivid. He's always been his own person, pleasant, yet quietly determined. He has also always marched to the beat of his own drummer. I don’t really remember him getting involved in many of our sibling squabbles. Maybe because he was so much younger he simply didn't care about what we were up to. He was content to entertain himself, spending hours playing in our backyard sandbox. At around age four, he would plant packages of graham crackers in the sandbox, hoping they would grow into a graham cracker tree.

By kindergarten, his quick mind was already bored with school. And no wonder, since one of his favorite pastimes as a young child was reading our encyclopedias. Kindergarten must have been awfully boring to someone so well-informed. Once when Jon was in Kindergarten I stayed home sick from school. An hour or so after he and my two younger sisters had headed off to the bus stop, I looked outside. There was Jon, playing in the sandbox! He’d decided to skip school that day and build a volcano in the sandbox instead.

When he was a little older, he went through a military phase. He wore camouflage clothing and hats, and along with his like-minded friend, constructed elaborate military compounds in the garden area out back. They really were amazingly detailed and well thought out, and often included streams and rivers filled by the garden hose.

By high school, he was sporting saggy pants, earrings in both ears and a nose piercing. As his older, wiser sister, I feared for his future. Really. Which is beyond hilarious now. My daughter once said, “Isn’t it funny that Jon turned out to be the most normal and responsible one in your family?” He would probably dispute the normal characterization, but I understand what she means. He isn’t normal though. He’s extraordinary. His life is a lesson in being true to yourself, and living life on your own terms. I respect and admire his non-conformity.  

By his junior year in high school, he'd had enough of formal education and quit. I still remember the dismay of my parents, both of whom were teachers.

Photo by Sam Christiansen

Jon and I in Bangladesh - November 2010

Quitting high school early didn’t hurt him. Not too many years later, after spending time moving around the country, working and enjoying life, he enrolled in college. He received his B.A. with distinction, followed by a M.A. in Sociology from Boston College. He's currently working on his PhD in Sociology. 

Whenever I read any of his published work, such as this article, 'We Are All Workers' : Anarchism and the Narrative of the Industrial Workers of the World, I’m blown away by his intelligence, and also extremely proud. His unassuming way makes it easy to forget about his keen mind.   

Jonathan walks his talk, always. When he stands for something, you know it. As a Wobbly, as Industrial Workers of the World members are known, he fights for the universal rights of workers. While living in Bangladesh he advocated for the rights of garment workers there, helping them fight for an increase in minimum wage and the right to unionize. He routinely stands up for the underdog and shows real compassion for people, regardless of their station in life. He’ll respectfully debate almost any topic with anyone. He’s pretty convincing because he doesn’t take a position on something without having thought it out and being well-informed.

Jon at an anti-war rally in 2006

He’s an amazing dad. Hands down, unquestionably devoted to his sons Atticus and Leon.  He also had the good sense to marry Sam (aka Dr. Samantha Christiansen), who is a fantastic sister and daughter-in-law, and a much loved part of our family. He’s the favorite uncle (sorry Ryan), always right in the mix with the nieces and nephews, playing like the kid at heart he is. I’m also pretty certain he’s the favorite child, which is completely okay with me. He’s one of a kind. Our little brother, but someone we all look up to. Happy Birthday Jon! I love you. 

The best dad. Photo collage by Sam Christiansen. 

Jon and Sam - July 2012

Playing in the sand with his boys.