Happy Birthday Douglas!

Good Morning It is my brother's birthday ! Happy Birthday to him.... I don't think he has ever read my blog, or even knows what a blog is :) but maybe I'll print this off and share it with him. My childhood was unlike any other. It was what stories are written about, fun~ carefree~ simple~ happy~ loving... Really I don't have too much bad to say about my childhood. I have never had to discuss it in therapy, let's put it that way :) When my child hood was brought up by a counselor, they never spent much time on it. So growing up the youngest of three kids I was the chosen baby.... Doug is 10 years older than me . Actually almost exactly, 16 days separate our birthdays. He was the best and I mean BEST big brother. He taught me so many special things. How to lick my hand before touching the electric fence to see if it was on or not...... Ya that one get 's the prize I think. I remember riding Komachee ( his black big horse) holding on for dear life as he galloped him up the hill. I remember boyscout trips and camp outs we went on too~ the Appalachian Trail for instance , we would stay behind a little , ( Mom Molly and I ) and when we would catch up with them " Dougie " was the first person I wanted to see.
Dougie as I affectionately called him could do anything he was as strong as Superman and could swim faster than Neptune ! He went to the Marine Corps when I was only 8. I remember those weekends and occasional visits as well. He always made time for me even though he would have much rather spent that time with buddies o a girl...
I recall being packed up like i was going for a weekend to be put in the back ( way back ) of the family vista cruiser and a new coloring book crayons and flashlight, to go to the drive inn with my big brother and his date, to stay in the back and not make any fuss I would be bribed with a dollar.... I wonder how many times that happened or if it was only once that it seems like many! ? Life was good. His Maverick car red and so messy in the back seat. The other thing I remember as a little girl was going with Doug for a brown cow ice cream. Out to the Dairy Inn in Berlin Center. ( a brown cow is chocolate ice cream and root beer) ...
Oh fun thoughts, I must conclude with Doug and Martha's beautiful wedding. St John's Church downtown Youngstown with the beautiful rock work and long so long aisle. I was 12 .... The junior brides' maid . my teeth full full full of braces, my hair permed and fuzzy, my first high heels, wooden soled brown sandals that had a 2 or more inch platform.... and the walk down the aisle I sobbed as if someone had cut my fingers off. It was a beautiful scene. Martha's girl friends as the bridesmaids in beautiful hunter green, pretty yellow roses and not to mention Martha with her beautiful long dark hair and gorgeous ivory gown, she was radiant. My dad was Doug's best man, Uncle Jack was one of the groomsmen, Molly was a brides maid ... it was picture perfect. ~ accept for my tears.... When asked why I cried so," I said My Dougie looked so pretty..... "
In honor of you my Dougie. Happy Happy Birthday. May God Richly Bless You this Whole Year Through.... You are truly one of my heroes... I love you.