You know I've always loved you Shaner!! Happy 5-0

Today...my baby brother...turns the big 5-0...I always feel like he is gaining on me when we are in the same decade...though he always seems and looks so much younger!   Though he does tend to play and work hard...a combination I have seen another Lance do...that tends to rack up the miles on the old body!

I sit here thinking about him in between coughs and think just how blessed I am to have Shaner as my brother!   People talk of having sisters and how wonderful it is...of being brothers...but I would not trade my sibling for no other!!   

I have loved him his whole life...and though a mountain separates us most of the time...there is a thread tethered to our hearts...there is a Bob Seger song Beautiful Loser...when I hear it I always think of him.   No he is as far from a loser as you might get...but there is a line in the song..."He's your oldest and your best friend...if you need him he'll be there again...of course you realize...you just can't have it all..."     But you know I can't include it with out adding Traveling Man...Live Bullet...I remember listening to this at the lake with Kelly...and I think...and those are the memories that make me a wealthy soul...tell you that make me a wealthy soul!!!  (So you know Bob is getting up there and he just keeps on rockin!!!)  

There are people that are in different parts of your life...they know the you now...they know the you from when you were little...the you from when you were a teenager...but there are not many that have had so many of the life experiences that you have....though we might not remember them exactly the same...we were together through them...playing trucks...playing ball...just playing...riding bikes (with and without motors...with feet up and without feet up)....riding wheelies...at some times not appropriate times...I can still remember you on the back of your 550 as we popped it in the air and saying, "Pen, it really isn't made for wheelies!"     Of silly times...of sad times...of being the family to each other that family is supposed to be.   Sharing the love of a mom and dad who though not perfect...nor are we....loved us and didn't fail to let us know!

I talked to my brother this morning...we both not feeling well...me probably more whiney than he...me taking a sick day...he still working.  I talked to him of sickness...of funerals...and thought boy how is that for a HAPPY birthday call!!!   But even though we talked of such things...I think of how blessed I am to have a brother...who is just as Izzy described her playhouse...AMAZING!    Perhaps I am prejudice...but that is my right as the big sister...and I pity the fool who tells me otherwise.

There is a Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley song that is called Brotherly Love...though it is about brothers...and actually through most of my childhood...I was probably more a brother type than a sister...well at times ;)   Except when I would make you dress up or some such thing...but I remember an old blue bike...I found the video and I thought of when I got married...a hard time being separated...though we spent many a weekend together...making more memories and more good times.   I know we aren't brothers but you are mine!

This morning I seem to be a little nostalgic and think of the soundtracks of our lives...our younger years...and begin looking at songs...perhaps ones that will trigger memories...I always admired and noticed that our sons both seemed to get the gift...of hearing songs and being able to quote them...or in some instances...make your own words...I remember many a miles or many an hour listening to this one...I happened on this one and thought it might be something you and your son would do...though my son does love this song as well..

We did have Bill Cosby on an album...not sure if this was it...but remember laughing and listening to it over and over...Just sitting around with dad listening to Bill Cosby talk of Fat Albert and of course RUSSELL!!!

The old blue truck...with the 8 track playing...in wanting to listen to a song again...you had to go through some others...I LOVE this song...and I love YouTube...

And though we had many more years of country...with Peg as your mom...what you gonna do!   But then we began to catch a little of the disco era...you had the hair...and I think of your prom and your date...

And an 80's song that perhaps could remind of you...as I remember you singing it...of course not disco...Actually not sure you ever went through disco...

 
And I remember us talking of going to see the Allman brothers in Springs when Dad was in the hospital...and those...days that seemed to go in slow motion at times...yet went by so fast...and I can remember riding in your Z-car and listening to the next song...and it became a favorite that I made my kids listen to...this version even as I recorded it on a cassette off of the tv...and I know you went through a time of searching...

And then as time does it passed by and after we lost dad you crossed the mountain...by way of Kelly Don...giving you  a hand up the hill...and then you found what you were looking for...looks quite similar to that prom girl...the love of your life...or should I say "loves"...

And though probably other songs...I remember a ZZ-top soundtrack and one little B-Bop who would sing Cheap Sunglasses...and I don't think any of us can hear Hard working man and not think of you!!








And then....you had your own little guy come along and though many songs...I remember him staying with us and riding to Granny's house while the kids went to school and I was going to work.   He was half asleep...but just sitting there and then this song came on and as he was sitting there almost asleep in complete silence...he belts out...I LIKE IT...I LOVE IT...another glimpse into yes this was your son...

And I think of you and your baby boy...who is now 21...and there is a pic of you two at his birthday...that I treasure...and I smile this morning as I see he used another pic I took from that night...and said you were his best friend...Because perhaps the reason why you are is you make him laugh like that and you touch his heart...now that's a gift!    Even if he is taking your birthday trip...I guess we go back to the hard working man song!   Just remember...don't work too hard!

 

 

And I have watched your faith...your love for others...and though this song is meant another way and I believe it...know I have always loved you as well...

So I know that you might be feeling your age as of late...it seems like only yesterday not 20 years ago...I was sending dead flowers and now here another milestone...and I am sad that I do not get to spend your birthday with you but I pray for you a day of Joy!     And feel my love cross over the mountain!!   Happy Birthday my brother...and I add one of my favorite songs...and hey maybe even take that Harley on at least a 3 minute cruise...and go for the fu man chu...we got all year!!!   Hope you are feeling better...this getting old stuff...Happy Birthday my brother I love you like no other!   God go with you this day and always!   Cause you know...part of the reason great...is because of you!

lyp