12.11.2008

A Day Late.... Plus One More Day


Two days ago when I was posting the proper attire for Christmas shopping I should have been wishing my brother a Happy Birthday.


I am SO bad at remembering birthdays. Not my children's (so far) or my husbands and I most certainly won't let my husband forget mine. And AniC never lets me (or anyone else) forget hers, so she's pretty safe from my birthday forgetfulness. But if you weren't listed, you are pretty much out of luck.


I have a very dear friend (who I must introduce on my blog one day) who always remembers mine and I have never remembered hers. She had a birthday just a couple of months ago, and I forgot it again, and when we did the post birthday "Ohmygoodness, I am SO sorry" and the "it's okay, no worries" she actually, if you can believe it, said "I almost called you to remind you so you didn't have to feel so bad about it." What a friend!! Worried about me feeling bad for her birthday. They don't make many friends like that.

But I digress. My brother. His birthday.


He turned the big four oh.

Do you know what that means? It means I am next.

But wait, back to my brother. This isn't about me.


So I didn't call him, I didn't text, I didn't send a present or a card (even though he sent me one on my birthday, thanks to his good and thoughtful wife) and I didn't even wish him a Happy Birthday on my blog that he never reads.


Nothing.


Oh wait, me and my older boyfriend stealing sister did reminisce about him. Does that count for something?


She talked of reading her old journals from when she was 12-14-ish (is that right?) and how we were at a park with roller coasters and such and Brian wouldn't ride the scary rides but I did. I remember all the teasing he got from my sister and cousin about how he'd let his little sister ride rides that he was too chicken to ride.


And then I asked my sister if she remembered the time I beat him in arm wrestling when we were in the 12-14 age range. Of course she didn't, and he doesn't (so he says), but I do- like it was yesterday. What girl is going to forget the day she beat her brother in arm wrestling and send him running from the house in embarrassment? Literally.


Oh man, those were the days. Nothing better than being tougher than your older, by 14 months, bro- know what I mean?

Then something happened. He grew up and toughened up and became that dude that all of your friends were your friends just so they could come hang out at your house and get a glimpse of your brother.



He also became that brother that punched your arm and left a bruise when you were sitting innocently watching TV. Or pinned you down and let spit dangle from his mouth inches from your face. I'm talkin'- he became that TV brother, from all the family TV shows, where all they do is torment the younger sister. And he played that role ever so perfectly.


And then we grew up more and (I) married and had children and he became Uncle Mean (I did not name him that.... but I do, however, think he earned it). He would play fight with my boys when they were smaller and say "We aren't stoppin' 'til someone cries!" And on occasion he would still put me in a headlock for old times sake.



Thankfully he grew older still, as the big four oh approached and laid off the headlocks and the play fights. Or maybe because my boys got bigger and did a little tae kwon do while my brother got a little older and weaker. Or maybe because he fell in love and married a sweet girl that tamed him (and remembered my birthday).

Either way, Happy Birthday Brian!! You old Geezer!!

And may you continue to never read my blog.

And I think this is where my Ma will step in and leave a comment about how Brian, even though he did all those things, really has a big ole tender heart. And he let spit dangle from his mouth two inches from my face out of love.

Am I right, Ma? ;-)

(her sons were always her favorite children)

13 comments:

Sister Black said...

i'm not touching that with a 10 foot pole!

I am LoW said...

Chicken! haha!!

You know you love the boys most, you know you do!!! :-)

dar said...

I was totally wondering why you didn't blog anything about our brother who never reads your blog on his b-day.

Anonymous said...

aniC states:
"of course mom loves her boys more! when i posted about brian on my blog once, she was all "he's not as mean as you think" so i can't believe she's pleading the 5th now!"
end quote.

Anonymous said...

aniC states:
"of course mom loves her boys more! when i posted about brian on my blog once, she was all "he's not as mean as you think" so i can't believe she's pleading the 5th now!"
end quote.

aniC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

and being aniC's spokesman, i took the liberty of finding the comment she was referring to about your mother.
when aniC posted about brian's regularity in meanness she said, and i quote "and don't confuse brian's "meanness" for a lack of love for you. that's just how he shows love."

I am LoW said...

aniC's outspoken spokesman- Do, PLEASE, tell AniC I really appreciate her help with this! I really do! I think things are going to work out between the two of us after all. As a matter of fact- I may drop the Sonic commercial for what she's done. Really.

Everyone- see? Ya thought I was exaggerating????

Dar- You should have reminded me! :)

Ma- BUS-TED!! mwahahaha!!

Cindy Howard said...

I am terrible at forgetting birthdays too. I was a day late on my own mothers.
p.s. I am sure Brian is a nice guy, but I am glad he wasn't my brother. I would have hated the spit and the arm punching.

I am LoW said...

CIndy- But what if it was out of love? :-D

Sister Black said...

LOOK! i defend ALL of you when one of your sibs are speaking ill of you. give me a breaaaaaaake for pete's sake! just cuz you ain't there to hear it don't mean it don't happen.

I am LoW said...

Mom- I don't want a blarguement, really. But I say if your sons are your favorite, own it. Say "Yes they are!" and be proud. Dad isn't ashamed to have a favorite and I am not ashamed to say that I am his favorite. See? Easy. :)

I am LoW said...

Mom- I don't want a blarguement, really. But I say if your sons are your favorite, own it. Say "Yes they are!" and be proud. Dad isn't ashamed to have a favorite and I am not ashamed to say that I am his favorite. See? Easy. :)