This post has been a long time in coming. I find myself too busy sometimes to write about things other than my S.O.A.P. Mind you I’m either working or playing a game with the wife. But I had to take a moment and say some things that have needed to be said for a long time. I also felt the need to share the photo below; as it is to date one of my favorite photo’s of one of my favorite persons.
So I’ve known this guy for a while, a LONG while I guess you could say . . . I could honestly say I’ve known him all of his life. LOL He’s a great guy. Thinking back over the years he’s been through some crap. Some of it he brought on himself, the rest he didn’t deserve. But unlike most he learned from it all. The man will give you the shirt off his back if you need it, he’ll listen to you for hours on end, offer advice when asked; never expecting anything in return.
The casual observer should be warned though; he’s mean. But not mean in a bad way, but like a mischievous sneaky way. He’s the little brother that always got you in trouble growing up but you couldn’t bear to kill LOL He’s the little brother that would pretend to be hurt just so he could sucker punch you with his brand new boxing gloves. He’s the guy that will let you know you lost a fight on a technicality. He’s also the guy that will hold you while you cry out of fear over something you’d done. He’s also the guy that will feed your family while your between jobs, making sure to give double helpings to the pregnant wife. He doesn’t know how great he is.
Sure he could work on the whole memory thing but he’s amazingly gifted. This past weekend he came over and we got to hang out and talk for a bit about a new passion I’m trying to acquire. He’s so patient as I learn; but it’s not just me, he’s that way with my daughter, my wife, and anyone else he comes into contact with. He’s extremely talented and complex at the same time. I love this guy . . . I don’t know if he understands that or not . . . but I love him so much . . .
Here’s to you Brother . . .
(in the picture he had kidnapped me to take me out, getting me away from the heavy workload I often carry. love this guy, really really really love this guy)
I’m proud to call you and Jake family. Nikki and Della, too. You guys are just so smart and always saying intelligent things and offering good advice and just staying busy being wonderful people. I think he probably thinks you’re as great as you do him. I think you’re both wonderful.
Well I remember a lot of what you’ve talked about, but you have, however, left out the great heroic abilities he displayed in “The Great Candy Disaster”. We were destined to be world famous candy chefs. People would line up for miles just to get a taste. We were on top of the world. Then that smell…it rushed from the pot in into our bodies as if it were trying to find shelter from a cold winter storm. Nothing could have been better. We sat and watched as the sugar melted. It wouldn’t be much longer. We stirred as we eagerly watched one another become more and more excited. Almost there….just another stir or two…..and then it happened. Suddenly and with no warning the pot began to breath fire. The flames must have been three feet tall and believe me they were swinging at us like a champion fighter in the first round. It was us versus him and we had no plan. “What do we do!” one of us shouted. “Water! Quick take it from the stove!” said the other. “Just throw the water on it!” We were baffled. Finally the stove was turned off and the flames melted away. The once shiny pot was left lying on the stove top with it’s one arm reaching for help. We gathered around to decide it’s fate. The inside was drenched in a thick candy shell. “We have to clean it before mom gets home”. We frantically grabbed the out reaching arm and pulled it from the stove. It was as if we were saving a wounded soldier from the brinks of death. “To the sink!” “Hot water…quickly!” “Ouch! Too hot!” “Brillo!” “It’s not working! Nothing is happening!” We scrubbed and scrubbed, but the wounds were so vast! We had to make a decision. She would be home any minute! We quickly pulled it from the water. “We have to get rid of it!” “She’ll know it’s gone, right?” “We have to risk it! It’s our only shot at saving the others!” “I’ll do it….” “What? You can’t you live here, she’ll know!” “I have to, give it to me! Now! There’s no time!” He took it from her hands and briskly walked out the side door. Minutes passed, it felt like hours. There was a great struggle, and a sudden thong. It was done….we had gathered in the room adjacent to the kitchen to gather ourselves and get a good game plan together in case she noticed right away. As we sat quietly we heard a noise. It was foot steps. We looked diligently into the smoke filled room and saw the silouette of the other as he returned from the field. “It’s over…”, he said. “We’re safe now.” He collapsed to the floor. “NOOOOO!” His brother shouted. Birds scattered as the great hero fell. We rushed to his side. “Are you alright? Stay with us!” “I…We…must always remember….” He fights for air. “Give him space, get back!” He struggles to stand, but with the help of the others he does. “We must always remember this day as the ‘Great Turnmire Candy Incident’, we must remember”.
Years have passed and the names have been lost. Perhaps the facts have been altered. But one thing holds true. That was the day the hero saved us all. Well, until Aunt Lorene disovered the pot was missing. Good thing we had left already!