My guardian, my teacher, my playmate, my brother…

In a family of four children, Richard and I were the middle two.  He’s two years older than me and led me on some grand adventures throughout my lifetime.  We were always very close and spent many hours playing together.  First we’d build elaborate cities for his Match Box cars – making mud bridges strong enough we could walk across them.  Then he’d agree to play house with me and because I couldn’t sew, he’d patch my doll’s dresses and sew on missing buttons.  I still have my favorite baby doll with a dress he performed his magic on.  There are far too many memories to list here – from him digging a hole deeper than I was tall and  putting me in it while he took off for parts unknown to him leading me out in the swamps of South Carolina, telling me the moss grows on the north side of the trees and leaving me to find my own way home.  (Years later he confessed he stayed not far away to be sure I was safe.)  From  the time he went into the spider-infested crawl space under our house to get my Siamese cat that wouldn’t come out to the day he buried the same cat for me when she died….he has always been my hero.  We have been through so many things in our lives – truly the good, the bad, and the ugly, but have supported one another every step of the way.  I love all my brothers dearly, but Richard and I share a closeness that came from being stuck in the middle – not the oldest or the baby.

His smile can truly light up a room and his sense of humor is infamous; he’s generous and giving; he’s smart and accomplished; he’s an excellent teacher and today he’s turning another year older.  Happy Birthday, Richard!!! 

I love you Bubba….