It’s hard to believe it has been 16 years since you last celebrated your birthday with us here on earth. I spent the day celebrating you all these years later. I got your favorite burger and drink that you would get when you took me out to Sonic back in high school. I loved those trips you would take me on! You were always so much FUN! That was your thing. You did all the fun stuff, which usually translated to a lot of stuff you shouldn’t be doing! Thankfully me being your baby sister I got preferential treatment and you sheltered me from all the trouble you could get into. You always had a smile on your face and mischief in your eyes. We only went to school together for one year but it was so much fun going to school with you. I remember the time you beat up a boy from my ceramics class for pouring water all over me, it was months later but as soon as you found out about it you beat him with a brick of clay! Poor guy looked pretty rough and you seemed rather smug about your 3 day suspension. Or the first day of school  when you told me to take the side entrance because you were sitting on top of the roof of the main entrance throwing eggs at the freshman, and anyone else dumb enough to go through that door. I’m pretty sure there’s a picture in the yearbook of you up there! I especially loved our road trip to Iowa with your girlfriend, my forever sister, Shauna. I still remember you playing Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks, it became the soundtrack for that trip. The only time I liked country music was when I was with you.

I was looking at pictures of you today and noticing all the pictures of you with your nieces and nephews. Giving them hugs and taking them fishing. You became the FUN uncle! All the kids were so heart broken when you passed away. You still hold a special place in those kids hearts. I wish you had gotten to meet your nephew, my son, that is named after you. But, I have a feeling you helped me out on the heaven side of things.

There was a lot of time we didn’t get to spend together due to our family circumstances and the age difference of five years so all of the memories I have of you I deeply treasure. I know that you really did treasure me. Your care for me always made me feel loved and protected. I can still feel your love and protection now even though you’ve been gone for over 15 years.

Happy Birthday brother. I miss you, I miss your smile, still over 15 years later. I hope you can Christy are watching over us, having fun waiting on all of us to join you. God willing it will be a while longer still. Love you brother!

XOXO

Linds