Hey! Why have all the moms and grandmas and nieces and sisters-in-law ranked for a blog entry so far this resolution year, but none of the relatives with a Y-chromosome? (Other than my Dog.....oh yeah, and Derek - but they are a different sort of family...) While this blog site has evolved to be more of a celebration of the many great people in my life (versus ONLY a place where I recount reconnections) I cannot run out of "cups" without highlighting my wonderful brother, Mike and dad, Ray.
We have a close, warm family, but somehow it seems harder to gush about the guys...
Mike - Boy. Tall. Handsome. Dad. Landman. Sports. Goofy. Strong. Truck. Beer. Big Feet.
Ray - Boy. Dad. Grandpa. Smart. Thoughtful. Generous. Patient. Funny. Retired. Golfer.
So, that about sums them up! ;) No, of course not REALLY!...
Because Derek and I are going away on the 25th we had an early Christmas this morning and so the whole family (all 10 of us) were together for breakfast and to open stockings and a few gifts. We were at mom and dad's house. Dad is always quick with the coffee pot (or glass of wine or a beer if it's later in the day) and keen to help anybody with anything. He is sincerely interested in things we have to say and has valued opinions to contribute. Dad is a "do-er". I admire the way he makes decisions about what to do, how to do it and then does it! He likes a project. Nothing grandiose or overly challenging, just keeping busy. In the summer he has the nickname of "Everyday Ray" at his golf club for his consistent routine and tee times. His golf game moves to Scottsdale for part of each winter and the condo projects earn his focus during those months. This is now.
Back "then", dad was a teacher and a school bus driver who worked hard, coached sports and took us on lots of fun, memorable holidays. While I was growing up he'd let me "mark" his high school kids' Math 30 exams ("Put a checkmark beside question ten if they've written x=8"). Later, during my sabbatical, he let me work for him "for real" in the landman office where the whole rest of my family already was at that time. We used to have the tradition of always peeking at each other if someone was saying grace. I wonder what ever happened to that habit? I do regret that we didn't dance at my wedding but his back was so severely sore on that date it is truly amazing he could even BE at the event, grinning and bearing it as well as he did. Wow! My favourite "date" has always been going to a Flames or Stampeders Game together. I could go on and on (and probably should because he deserves it) but suffice it to say I think he's wonderful and I love him a ton.
Now Mike on the other hand.....(just kidding!). Even though our secret term of endearment is to give each other the finger and our anthem - that we would sing the "NaNa" chorus to - is Centrefold by the J. Geils Band. (Weird - and kind of disturbing!! I have NO idea how or why either of those things started) there is plenty of unspoken affection between us. Mike and I had a great relationship growing up and shared lots of laughs and experiences. Normal sibling stuff, generally, but overall we have always gotten along so well and enjoy spending time together, even though we don't do it very often anymore. Mike is my "little brother" who, at 6'4" now, hasn't been littler than me for a very long time! I suppose it was actually HE who "let" me work at the land office as the timing coincided with dad's retirement and Mike's takeover (not hostile!) of the company. Mike is a successful business guy now, an "old-timer" athlete at 41, he still maintains a large circle of friends (he has always had great friends) and is an attentive, joking, laughing, happy, active dad of two amazing girls. And I'm pretty sure his wife still likes him a lot too! Like his dad (and my dad), Mike is glad to help anyone out and is interested in people's lives and stories. He has an awesome sense of humour but a wonderful head on his shoulders too. I feel so fortunate, both to have an amazing brother but also to live so close to him and get to still be sharing in each others' lives.
There. That wasn't so hard to brag about the boys! Not when they're these two boys anyway.
xxxooo
We have a close, warm family, but somehow it seems harder to gush about the guys...
Mike - Boy. Tall. Handsome. Dad. Landman. Sports. Goofy. Strong. Truck. Beer. Big Feet.
Ray - Boy. Dad. Grandpa. Smart. Thoughtful. Generous. Patient. Funny. Retired. Golfer.
So, that about sums them up! ;) No, of course not REALLY!...
Because Derek and I are going away on the 25th we had an early Christmas this morning and so the whole family (all 10 of us) were together for breakfast and to open stockings and a few gifts. We were at mom and dad's house. Dad is always quick with the coffee pot (or glass of wine or a beer if it's later in the day) and keen to help anybody with anything. He is sincerely interested in things we have to say and has valued opinions to contribute. Dad is a "do-er". I admire the way he makes decisions about what to do, how to do it and then does it! He likes a project. Nothing grandiose or overly challenging, just keeping busy. In the summer he has the nickname of "Everyday Ray" at his golf club for his consistent routine and tee times. His golf game moves to Scottsdale for part of each winter and the condo projects earn his focus during those months. This is now.
Back "then", dad was a teacher and a school bus driver who worked hard, coached sports and took us on lots of fun, memorable holidays. While I was growing up he'd let me "mark" his high school kids' Math 30 exams ("Put a checkmark beside question ten if they've written x=8"). Later, during my sabbatical, he let me work for him "for real" in the landman office where the whole rest of my family already was at that time. We used to have the tradition of always peeking at each other if someone was saying grace. I wonder what ever happened to that habit? I do regret that we didn't dance at my wedding but his back was so severely sore on that date it is truly amazing he could even BE at the event, grinning and bearing it as well as he did. Wow! My favourite "date" has always been going to a Flames or Stampeders Game together. I could go on and on (and probably should because he deserves it) but suffice it to say I think he's wonderful and I love him a ton.
Now Mike on the other hand.....(just kidding!). Even though our secret term of endearment is to give each other the finger and our anthem - that we would sing the "NaNa" chorus to - is Centrefold by the J. Geils Band. (Weird - and kind of disturbing!! I have NO idea how or why either of those things started) there is plenty of unspoken affection between us. Mike and I had a great relationship growing up and shared lots of laughs and experiences. Normal sibling stuff, generally, but overall we have always gotten along so well and enjoy spending time together, even though we don't do it very often anymore. Mike is my "little brother" who, at 6'4" now, hasn't been littler than me for a very long time! I suppose it was actually HE who "let" me work at the land office as the timing coincided with dad's retirement and Mike's takeover (not hostile!) of the company. Mike is a successful business guy now, an "old-timer" athlete at 41, he still maintains a large circle of friends (he has always had great friends) and is an attentive, joking, laughing, happy, active dad of two amazing girls. And I'm pretty sure his wife still likes him a lot too! Like his dad (and my dad), Mike is glad to help anyone out and is interested in people's lives and stories. He has an awesome sense of humour but a wonderful head on his shoulders too. I feel so fortunate, both to have an amazing brother but also to live so close to him and get to still be sharing in each others' lives.
There. That wasn't so hard to brag about the boys! Not when they're these two boys anyway.
xxxooo
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