Dear Mike,
I can't believe I am sitting here trying to put into words my thoughts and feelings on our shared experiences. You see, I never thought I would live to see you reach 40. I truly thought that I wouldn't make it to Kindergarten, because you were going to eat me for breakfast. Ironic really, all those tears I cried in fear as a small child, and now I cry about the same thing, but only because I am laughing so hard I cannot control it! In fact, I can't even tell people the story, because I can't get the words out, the whole thing is so ridiculous!
A six year age difference is a lot when you are young, and not so much as you grow up. While I may not have ridden the bus with you, or had to endure the joint HS dances, I have vivid memories of those first years after you graduated from John Carroll and were living back in various places in Western New York. Your old bedroom, where Mom wanted you to pay room and board once you came home with your green jeans and KILLER cowboy boots; your apartment in Cheektowaga (as I recall "where the treetops glisten, and you don't have to listen, to the girls, rumble in Swamp South); and of course your posh digs in Snyder. It was nice being in high school and having someone to hang out with where you really could just be yourself. It never bothered you that I was your little sister.
For my 16th birthday, you gave me a shirt that said "Here Come the Yankees" and featured none other than Wade Boggs, Bernie Williams and of course, Don Mattingly. (Perhaps it was Paul O'Neill? I have the shirt still, I should pull it out to verify, since I KNOW you will remember!) Anyway, you told me then that your goal for the summer was to turn me into a Yankees fan, and you were successful! It was a great summer - you were so happy to share your love of the game, I was happy to learn, and many lazy afternoons were spent tuned to MSG when the Yanks were on. Yes, even when Jim Abbott almost pitched a no hitter. He didn't, I ruined it, and I also learned the rules of "jinxing" a professional sporting event. I still feel bad about that. I mean, the guy had one hand, and I jinxed his opportunity to go down in history!
If there is one thing to be learned from that summer though, it's that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but it's a long season and in the end, you still get to the World Series. A good metaphor for life, even if I didn't realize it at the time. Maybe you did though.
When I have won, you were always there, cheering me on, with the pride and happiness showing in your face. When I have lost, you were always there, providing a shoulder to cry on, some sage older brotherly advice, and most importantly, the support to pick myself up and move forward. There have been many times that I have asked myself "What would Mike do" and I like to think that I make similar decisions. I know for a fact, there have been several occasions where the answer to "What would Mike say if I did that?" changed my course :-)
They say that your siblings are the most important people in your life. They are there longer than your parents, your spouse and your children, and will influence your personality in so many ways. I couldn't agree more. I know as the oldest you sometimes got the short end of the stick. I never had to stay in on a Saturday to scrub the kitchen floor and I never had to set the example for the younger kids to follow. That example though, Mike, is priceless. The way you treat people, your dedication to fairness, your fierce loyalty - all of it has shown me how to be a better person. Thank you for that.
Happy Birthday Big Brother!
Love,
Claire
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