To be honest with you, I have a terrible memory. I may have already told you that in one of my previous blogs, but I don't remember if I did or not! Sometimes I feel bad that I can't remember things from my past. I have some friends who speak about their childhood and high school years as if it was yesterday - believe me, it wasn't. I only have small snapshots of my past. I am not sure why my brain works like that. I had a happy and safe childhood, I just don't seem to have it on a film running through my brain...just small glimpses into the past.
Some of the things I remember are things I did with my brother...like having a water gun battle in the basement, then getting in trouble together. The next thing I remember is wiping the dripping water off the walls with towels, towels and more towels! We cheered for each other as we took turns water skiing up north at our grandparents' cottage...we tried skiing together on two ropes a few times, but he kept spraying me with his slalom ski as he went back and forth, so I think I was the one to stop that "fun" idea. We found a turtle while canoeing and took it back to Grandpa's garage to paint our names on the top before paddling back into the lily pads to send him home.
One time, we set up a huge neighborhood production of "Star Wars" in our back yard with the neighbor kids. We built a large space ship out of a box and acted out what we thought was the movie. I was so excited to be Princess Leia and my friend, who was a boy, was Luke Skywalker. My excitement faded when the older kids, including my brother, said we HAD to kiss to make the play complete. So that is when I got my first, very fastest kiss - YUCK!
My brother used to play little league baseball, so I would tag along with my parents to watch all his games. I thought it was great since I would be able to get candy and a "graveyard" from the concession stand to keep me entertained during the game. Many of you may not know this delicious drink I speak of, but back in the day, they only had a few choices of fountain pop. We would get them ALL in one cup together - Coke, Sprite, Orange, and Root Beer! We thought we were the coolest.
It's funny the things you remember about the past. The small snapshots I remember are also filled with emotions. If I had to figure out an emotion that I felt when I was with my brother it is: safe. I knew my brother would take care of me. I was excited to follow him wherever he went when I was little or have him drive me places when we became teens. I always felt safe by his side because he was my big brother.
As we grow older, and my brother has another birthday, I look back and thank God for giving me a brother to grow up with. My oldest daughter is going away to college this fall, but you know what I realized? She will be living in the same town as my big brother. As I say goodbye to my little girl, I look back and see myself as a little girl again...I see my brother by my side and I know she will be fine. My brother and his amazing wife will provide a safe place for her when she needs it. They will be there when I am too far away to give her a hug. You see...when you can't remember the memories of the past, you are always able to create new ones! My daughter will now have new memories of spending a few weekend nights around my brother's bonfire, sharing a Coke or a "graveyard" and a few silly stories of kids playing "Star Wars" and having water gun battles in a basement.
Happy Birthday Big Brother! Thanks for growing up by my side...take care of my little girl for me.
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