May 2, 2012
A Buddy for Life
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Who has been your best pal for your entire life? It may look like Santa, ha, but that is me with my brother, Richie...although he now insists he wants to be called Rich. I am two years older but it feels like we have shared many things on the same plane. This may be where it all started...he wanted to meet Santa but was afraid so I accompanied him.
Going to school for the first time, I was thrilled and curious while he wanted to just stay home. I took him by the hand telling him how much fun it would be. He reluctantly endured it but always the shy one. After school we did our farm chores together, he liking the company and me liking to provide entertainment. It was a great deal...I amused him and he did all the work. Well, most of the work. We laughed, I taught him songs although he said I couldn't sing a lick. We explored the woods of our Ohio farm, we had foot races to the nearest neighbor, we couldn't ride in the backseat of the car together because as soon as one of us got sick then the other one followed.
But basically, he has been my ally when it was hard, encouraging and supporting me when I did something good. He has been my "go to" friend ... always loving and caring without judgment. I hope his health remains and we get to share many more years of laughing and obnoxious birthday cards. Some how this quiet and reserved guy (think Jimmy Stewart in bad clothes) finds the best ones year after year.
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Posted by Nancy Rossman
on May 2, 2012 at 9:44 AM
in Brothers |
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June 20, 2011
The Love of a Brother
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My little brother, Richie, has always been my pal. He got his name as to distinguish himself from our father, also a Richard. And as much as he dislikes "Richie" these days ...it's still how I think of him. As the oldest child I was often put in charge of Richie. Take him by the hand when we shopped, to the school bus, to his class the first day of school, etc. He never liked to be away from home and he's still that way today. Only in the last few years has his wife been able to pry him into a car or on a airplane for vacations. Earlier this year she even talked him into a month (MONTH) long vacation in Florida. He said he loved it, may do it again next year. Who knew? A guy can change.
Growing up in Ohio in the fifties, Richie and I shared farm chores. While I entertained him with stories and jokes, even singing, he would do all the work. He never minded the long list that Dad gave us. There were't other kids anywhere near us so we were each other's pal and work partner. We made fun out of our chores. Seems like an oxymoron, but imagine no TV (until 1953) and only a few programs on the radio. We made up games and occasionally got into trouble. We covered for each other so often that Dad took to spanking both of us instead of a lengthy interrogation.
As we aged we became each other's confidant and that is still true today. We laugh, cry, discuss. We may not always be on the same page with all beliefs but we respect each other's opinion. I love that he can stand up to me and gently say, "All I'm saying is you might want to consider..." What a diplomat.
Nowadays I watch him with his four grandchildren and have to smile. How affectionate and sweet, and patient he is with them. How lucky those kids are, but how lucky I am to have such a wonderful guy for a brother that I still call Richie.
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Posted by Nancy Rossman
on June 20, 2011 at 10:10 AM
in Brothers |
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