Today my brother is 82 years old (or years young, in our family). He’s been my older brother for a long, long time. Sometimes it feels like we were growing up together just a year or so ago, and sometimes it feels much, much longer.
We didn’t actually grow up “together.” Yay-yay (my nickname for him when I was a tot), is about 10 years older than I. This means he was more parent than brother to me. My best memories of my childhood – other than the food – is things we did together.
He taught me how to play whiffle ball. And basketball. And Canasta. He never “let me win,” which may account for why I’m so competitive at games.
He took me to movies. Thanks to Yay-yay, I saw “To Hell and Back” with Audie Murphy at my first drive-in movie. It was fantastic! He also tried to take me to see “The Sword in the Stone” on New Year’s Eve. But being it was a holiday, they changed the movie to “Move Over Darling” without notice. So we stayed, and it began my life-long love of all Doris Day movies.
The rule with my brother for dating was – if you didn’t want little sister to come along, then you stayed home and little sister went. So I went to movies, to mini-golf, to games, to amusement parks, and to parks for picnics. It was a wonderful childhood.
At least, that’s what I try to remember. My parents were not the best parents in the world. In all fairness, they did their best, and we did have some great times. But their best was often loud, scary, and violent. What I remember the first eleven years of my life is that my brother was my protector (as well as my mom’s and our other brother’s) from all the chaos. He stood in the path of anger so that I might be a kid.
When I was 11, my brother got drafted. He went to fight a war in Vietnam, because that’s what his country told him he needed to do. He got back (thank God) in one physical piece, but it was not the same for us. He served his country, but I’m not convinced our country served him (and the thousands of other Vietnam vets).
When, as a young adult, I was going through a rough patch, he took me in. No questions, just laughter, prayers, and support.
He taught me a lot of games. He taught me a lot about movies and movie stars. He also taught me about love, loyalty, service, and perseverance.
He was my hero. Still is. And even though he turned 82 today, in my head he’s still a 16-year-old kid driving his little sister around like she was a princess.
Happy birthday, Johnny. I hope you have many more!
As I have often said- this one cannot go around without a comment!
DUe to the chaos of our “family” – you were the piece of it that kept
me going! I had little in common with Clark due to his extrovision
ideas of doing things in a group, did not fit my introverted views.
I had few “friends” until high school – got a couple good ones – but
for the most part, Susie was my little buddy=pal and I loved the time
and events we shared – great memories for me and kept me going!
I would not trade those times for anything – she is still the best
sibling EVER – much as I came to love brother Clark as well – she
tops the list for me – still there when I need to talk and enjoy time
with her and Matt and Kenton too!! Great family, and it shows up
when times are tough!! Keep the Snippet’s coming , i love them!
Memory boosters for sure!! Love, Laughter and never quitting!!!
Your bro’, Johnny
I love hearing the stories of you and dad hanging out. He always remembers those times fondly.