In His Sister's Eyes

Today's blog is dedicated to my brother, Richie. I picked today (Memorial Day) for this blog to honor him because he is currently serving our country in Iraq.


Richie is my only sibling. I'm four years older than him, but I love to ask kids, "Who do you think is older?" ....because for some reason, they all think he is older....he actually looks really young!


If you were around him for any length of time, he'd probably share with you some of the things he had to "endure" as my little brother....but don't believe EVERYTHING you hear! He'd probably tell you that I was a little on the bossy side as kids (well he might say alot on the bossy side), that I was and still am...stubborn (that might be true.) He'd probably also say that he wasn't fond of following along behind me in school as Tammy's little brother (with the expectations from teachers). He'd also tell you that I liked to scare him into thinking that I wasn't really his sister...that actually I was an "alien" that took his sister(actually I did do that...and it was kind of fun....mean I know!) And he might tell you that I sent him head first into our TV when we were playing our made up game of "Zip Zop". (That could explain some of his goofiness, I guess).

Here we are as kids:



He was actually a good sport when we were kids. He'd play barbies with me and I'd play army with him. Playing army with him wasn't really a sacrifice on my part though because I loved playing farm and westerns and stuff like that...so that was fine with me. However, he'd be quick to point out that when he did play barbies, he was always "Ken" though!


Richie is really the fun....spontaneous...goof-off....kind of guy. I'm more of a cautious...think-it-through (too much sometimes)...kind of girl. I'm not nearly as fun as he is! I really wish I was more like him in alot of ways! He's just an all around likeable guy! Come to think of it, my son is a whole lot like him. I sometimes slip up and call him Richie. He has that entertaining quality about him!


Richie & I a few years ago:
(This was taken during
our overall phase!)




Now he's all grown up and a husband and dad to three. He is serving our country in Iraq in the Air Force Reserves. I'm very proud of him and I wanted to honor him, as well as the other men and women, that sacrifice time with their families, their convenience and comfort to protect our freedom in a foreign land. So for Richie, Daniel, Brian & BJ, and in memory of Matthew (a close friend of Richie's son who gave his life for our country), I'd like to say thank you. I appreciate you and honor you today.


Richie now serving in Iraq:

And for Richie, from your sis,....I love you. You might be my "little" brother, but you really are a giant in your sister's eyes.