Letter to Larry

Dear Big Brother

You were four years old when I was born. I don't know what your first memory of me was. I don't know what my first memory of you was. I do have a ton of memories of you though. Some are fuzzy with time passing. Some are invoked by pictures. All are precious.

Not in any order, some vivid ones are Mom making you get a switch off the bush between our house and the Gangwer's next door for a whoopin'. Not sure if she ever used it on you, but she had a look that she gave me that stopped me from pushing the envelope. You, not so much. Rebel you were.

You running down the street when you were in trouble and her saying "that's ok, you'll come home when you are hungry".

You laying on the bedroom floor with headphones on listening to the Beatles. I think that is why I love them so much.

You and Terry making sure that John and I had a Christmas.

You and Terry letting me live with you. I think my payment was washing dishes and taking care of Lisa and Angela. My dolls.

You having a friend at Kerr that I married and had a child with.

You forgetting to tell me about the wedding shower for Chuck and me at Kerr.

You not dancing with me at a Kerr get together because "brothers don't dance with their sisters".

You never biting your tongue and always speaking your mind. which one of your daughters does that?

You starting to smoke cigarettes in your thirties so you could go to the smokehouse at Kerr to spy on your employees.

Your smile that always reached your eyes.

Your grunting when you ate. 

Riding in the backseat with Perry while you drove and Terry punched you whenever you looked at other girls. Should have paid attention to that wandering eye. You passed that on to me. Always wanting something else.

You "regifting" a candle to me and when I took it out of the box, it was used. It's the thought that counts.

So many more roll through my mind, mostly when i can't sleep and all I can think about is you.

I know you and I were not as close as some siblings, but I think we did ok in the grand scheme of things.

Know that you are in my heart and I love you.

Your baby sister.