Brotherly love

My brother and I shared a room most of the time that we lived at Mom & Dads. The time we didn't neither of us were old enough to remember. There was lots of playing, arguing, fighting, talking and many other things that brothers do when the share a 12x9 room for so many years.

While we were close, I don't think we were really close until shortly before we moved out, the last year or so. It was the time when we were no longer just brothers, but best friends. When you left the house, you wanted him to come along, and were disappointed when he didn't.

I remember when I joined the Army, and sent the first batch of letters home with my address. A few days later, I got 3 letters back; my parents, my fiance Jackie, and Steve. I read the one from my parents, then from Jackie. I really missed Jackie at the time. But when I read Steve's, that's when I really became homesick. There was nothing of any importance, but just conversation, but that is what I missed.

We lived in Chicago at the same time for several years, but for those who have ever lived there, it's not always close to each other. It was a safe bet to plan for an hour trip to see each other due to whatever traffic pattern existed that day. But it still was nice. If it involved nothing else than cruising the Mall on Sunday morning, looking in the same 6 or 7 stores that you looked in every other time we were there.

We both left Chicago around the same time. I moved back home to Mason, Steve got a position at OSU in Columbus. Once again, an hour or so away, but we got together as often as we could.

I always hoped that his permanent job would be at UC for two reasons, one, because I think that was his dream job, and two, it would have kept him close. But, the University of Georgia won out. He has lived there almost as long as he has lived anywhere in his life now, and while we've been down to visit from time to time, it's never enough.

Steve and his boys Zack and Alex came up for a weekend visit this past weekend. Tish couldn't make it as she is on a research cruise in the Antarctic Circle right now (brrrrr). We did a few things around town, spent some time at home just being lazy, but overall had a great time. They flew back home yesterday, and already I miss them.

With the falling out my parents and I have had, Steve is the only family on my side of the family I have any contact with. While Andrea's family is very good to me, and even Jackie's family is still very good to me, there is still something about your own family that you grew up with, who you shared so much with. There are so many things that I would like to say to my family it is unbelievable.

As today is Christmas Eve, let us all keep in mind the true meaning of the season, the love of family. May nothing ever get in the way of being able to express that love. And be sure to take the time to express that love. You never know when that opportunity will cease.

Happy Holidays!