In looking back in the "archives" I've never posted an entry in honor of my little brother's birthday. What a rotten older sister I am ! So here goes...
I was not quite 8-1/2 years old, my mom & dad kept telling me that there was going to be a big surprise. I don't remember any "pregnancy" talk at all...just a big surprise. When the time came, I was dropped off down the street with an older lady who was not only our neighbor but was also a member of our church and a dear friend. She'd never had any children of her own so I was very special to this lady. The one thing I remember about her house was the old phone on the wall. She was very tiny and she had to get up on a stool to talk on the phone.
So when "the call" came I actually remember her helping me up on the stool to talk to my mom. Mom was calling from the hospital to tell me that I had a baby brother. His name would be Stephen William. I don't remember much about those first few months after he was born. I'm sure I was totally enthralled with this baby...what little 8-1/2 year old girl wouldn't be?
As he got older he was fun to play with but then a time came when he wasn't cute anymore. Even when he was 5 and we made our road trip trek to southern California in the back seat of the car he began to annoy me. It got worse as we both got older. By the time he was 7 or 8 years old...I could hardly stand the sight of him. It seemed his only goal in life was to harass his older sister. LOL When I graduated from high school he was 10 years old and I was so happy to get the job at the phone company, get out of the house and into an apartment with a girlfriend and away from that little "brat" as I so rudely referred to him. He started being likable again when he was in junior high and high school. I began to realize he really was a nice kid with a tender heart. And I can remember being so proud of him when he graduated from the same high school I did. He was well liked by all his peers and the teachers. He was in band and during his senior year was drum major when the band marched in our local Daffodil Festival parade.
He was a hard worker, helping dad and mom with tasks around the farm and during the summer months always had a job on the outside. When he went off to southern California to college I remember how distraught my mother was with him gone. They made several trips a year to California to see him and visit with family. I remember when he came home for Christmas in December 1971, he had a girl with him. It was then that I realized we were both adults...he was so different that visit. However, he paid more attention to the girl than he did the rest of us. Although my son Jim was 4 months old then and he thought Jimmy was pretty cute, spending time bouncing him on his knee. Steve had always been very fond of my daughter Julie as they were 9-1/2 years apart...I guess she may have tormented him like he'd done to me.
Anyway, time went on...he married that girl (Joan) and they chose to live in Pasadena, CA. He worked in downtown Los Angeles, they had two beautfiul daughters and I rarely saw him. But I remember in 1976 my former husband & I left the kids home and took a trip to southern California ~ I loved visiting my "little" brother and his family in their home. In the late 70's they decided they wanted to move to the northwest. This was sort of a difficult move for my sister in law as she was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA (one of the most beautiful places on earth) and that's where her folks and family were. My brother flew up here, and along with a friend in Real Estate we went house hunting for them. Steve had the old movie camera with him & after looking at several houses we found one that we (him & me) thought was perfect. So he took the movies of each room, the front yard, back yard, the neighborhood and flew home. It was decided that the house was ok so from California they completed the deal and after selling their house packed up two little girls and headed north. A couple years after they moved north, a 3rd daughter joined their family. Long story short~they still live in that house but have added on here & there, and remodeled to make room for the addition of sons in law & grandchildren.
Of course of the years we've grown close...he's been the most wonderful brother anybody could ask for. During those times that our folks passed away, he was a pillar of strength. He & Joan are active in their church, and love times with their 4 grandchildren. I tell people that Steve is the kind of guy I'd like even if he wasn't my brother. He's just an all around nice guy.
Yesterday, I went by the house and dropped off his gift and a homemade card...it had a picture on it of our mom holding him in a standing position when he was about 6 months old. (Picture #1)
Oh and my "little" brother....he's 6 foot 5 inches tall....and as gentle and loving as can be. Thank you dear Lord for my little brother....Happy 58th birthday Steve, may you have many, many more.
So easy even some of the guys could do it. This recipe is on the back of the Minute Tapioca box too. I think I hear a strawberry rhubarb pie calling my name. 
here she is with her Papa Bob. Isn't she beautiful ? 
It's hard to believe that a climber lost his life up there in the last week. It looks so serene sitting there in the back ground. 
But here's a picture of the fountain out in front of one of the buildings. I see one lone rose blooming there. 
Long may she wave~
It worked because there were no more creaking sounds from the chimney pipe. While we were having these 40-50 mph gusts it was also pouring rain~sideways. Stuff was flying down the street in front of the house & it was good to be 
and I went to Target today and got a copy so I can get her to autograph it tomorrow. 