That's Marty for Ya

Today my brother turns 39. He has always been 2 years, 2 months, and 4 days older than me. I don't remember having too much of a relationship with him as kids other than we would watch the last 10 minutes of Dukes of Hazard together to ensure I didn't miss Wonder Woman that aired directly after. Eventually I started to like Dukes of Hazard myself and ended up watching it with him every day after school.

I know he hated sharing his birthdays. He and John always got the same clothes, toys, cake, etc. But that is how it went and personally I thought it would have been fun to have a party together with someone. He loves kitties, and I still remember the day I caught him and his friend Chad once burying them up to their heads in our garden. I was so appalled I'm sure I tattle told on him. I remember mom telling me not to vacuum in his and John's room. I guess there was too many nuts and bolts on the floor and she didn't want me to ruin the vacuum on account of it.

I don't remember him much attending elementary school with me other than I think I got the same 6th grade teacher as he did. I do remember being excited to attend my first year in high school with him cause I was so nervous about not having any friends. I remember how cool I thought I was to get a ride in his shiny red truck. One time when we were going out of the parking lot at BINGO I hadn't closed the door too tight and my little brother, Matt, almost fell out. But it was an old truck and I was a teeny bopper with jiggly arms. What do you expect? I was so sad when that truck got totaled. :( I also wanted a denim jacket and leather shoes like he did. I eventually got some too. I think I spent many days hanging out with him and his buddies from then on. My best friend and I had grown apart and he was there to fill the void.

My brother liked to tease me a lot when I became a teenager. Just like my dad. He still does, but unlike my dad Marty can be relentless sometimes. I think he had many names for me such as cream puff or typical seventh grader. I don't remember them all. I felt bad many times about it, but didn't let it bother me. I realized it was more for his amusement than to hurt me and he was a big brother so what do you expect? He made me so angry one day and I can't even remember what for, but because of it I squirted a whole bottle of ketchup on him. Just afterward I held my breath and thought he was going to flip out and kill me but he just walked away. Boy was I relieved. Squeezing the bottle of ketchup helped ease some of the stress as well. Oooh he used to make me mad though! Now it just makes me laugh when I think about it. He still loves to tease. He loves to squeeze us and make silly jokes. I wonder if he can still gleek?

Even though he treated me mostly like a brother would to his pesky little sister, Marty has always been there for me. He has done so much for me. Fixed my cars, offered to take care of my boys during a bad turn in my life, gave me advice, and even gave me blessings when I needed them. He even threatened Charlie to take care of me. If that is not a brother I don't know what is.

I hope that deep down Marty knows that no matter what the family on his side loves him too and that he means a lot to us. Sure our family doesn't always have that warm fuzzy feeling inside like the ideal family would, but we are not "card board cut outs" meant to all agree on the same things. We are a diverse family but we don't let it get us down.

So Marty I hope someday you read this and that you have a wonderful birthday today with those that you love. I don't think you check my spot out any longer cause I never hear from you guys, but there is always hope. Enjoy your last year of past 3 decades in your life and plan what you want to accomplish for the next one!