Editor's Pick
MAY 19, 2010 1:01AM
Rate: 17
Almost a decade older than me, my oldest brother is one of the original boomers. He has retro documents to prove it, including his Paul Anka fan club button. The oldest of three boys, he talks about the arrival of moi, the first girl in the family like it was a big fat holy holiday. We may have started out with a huge gap in age, but he was my keeper. Literally. I shared quarters with my brother for some months while the roof was repaired. I’d like to say we got to know one another, but my memories of those early baby years are limited to well, not much.
My brother tells me that he saved me from my nanny/nurse who didn't much like babies who screamed or vomited. She arrived for each of the four children’s births and I'm the one who apparently sent her over the edge and packing. Whenever I see a photo of poor Mrs. Harrod holding the infant that would be me, I cannot help but feel a bit sorry for her. She looks exhausted; as though she'd like to give me away to the next nanny she sees in the park.
My mother seemed to not mind that my older brother was seriously influencing his baby sister by corrupting her young mind with Elvis, Doris Day, Patti Page, and Paul Anka. Later, he also influenced my Barbie clothing collection. And frankly, after his help, Barbie never looked so good. My brother always had a gift with the fashion.
Never mind Tim Gunn. My brother is the guy you absolutely want hanging around in your closet. For well over a decade now, he’s owned a hot clothing boutique on the fancy Connecticut shoreline. Before that, he paid his dues working in the industry doing everything from a schlepping as a buyer to being a cool designer.
My mother enjoyed having a son who knew colors and the perfect scarf to go with which dress. The Ad Man, our dad wasn’t as sure. He gave him a lot of grief, that is until the boy grew up quickly into a big guy, 6 feet 5 inches tall with feet the size of Texas. My brother stayed true to himself and stuck with style and fashion, even with the Ad Man on the case. He married a very tall, gorgeous blonde, Swedish girl who is every bit as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She also bakes the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet. The two of them together put the sizzle in style and all things confection. Later, I started borrowing his sweaters. Borrow is a loose term since I snuck into his room while he was still sleeping and like a good cat burglar absconded with his some of his collection. Fortunately he worked at a clothing shop and had more clothes than was reasonable. He didn't miss the stuff I took. I’d have been better off just keeping the sweaters, but I returned them like an honest little sister.
He would find them back in the drawer and when he would unfold those sweaters, they would have a little bit of eau de Chanel No. 5 (don't tell my mother) and um, some stretch marks where boys usually don't need them. I was an early adopter to all things puberty, including bras. I had no idea that sweaters remembered the shape of the last person wearing them.
Let's hope he still isn't looking for that baby blue alpaca pullover.
No matter how old we get, he will still be my older brother. And while that annoys him endlessly, we get past it and move on to the important things. Like our shared love for Carvel Ice Cream Flying Saucers, my sister-in-law’s chocolate chip cookies, or which speedy little car he is driving now.
From 3000 miles away I wish my brother a very happy 33.6 million minute birthday. That would be 4.7M minutes older than me. Even with the time difference.
Want your sweater back?
Comments
I know the relationship. I have one sister, 6 years older than me. When I'm 90 and she's 96, she'll still be introducing me as "My baby brother." But there is a bond there.
You are so lucky! I always wanted a big brother!
What a cool big brother! I love my sister to bits, but always wanted a big brother.
Would you put on your Things to Write About list, the nanny who hated babies who screamed and vomited?
Would you put on your Things to Write About list, the nanny who hated babies who screamed and vomited?
Lovely tribute to your brother, Lisa.
Great way to honor your brother! R
Excellent post - WELL worth your EP!!!!
I loved this! Rated.
What a great birthday wish for him, even though you've totally outed yourself about the alpaca sweater. Happy birthday, L's brother!
What a lovely story! I hope you sent this to him.
I'd love a b'day 'card' like this - what a good gift!
This is really special. Your tone throughout was really wonderful, I felt as though you were letting me in on your special relationship...and you were!
Very nice tribute to brotherly love.
I'm smiling and beaming on this one. what a great thing it is to know one is loved by a sibling so special! And that goes for you both. ~R+~
Cool!!! My sister is coming to visit me in Alaska after 30 years. Love it!
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