Memories of My Oldest Brother
This week as I met with my three remaining brothers and three remaining sisters, I couldn't help but recall the time my oldest brother left for the Army.
As I remember my brother, Junior, I think of the day my dad took him to town to meet the other boys who had been drafted from our area. I was about four years old. My mother was broken hearted at the thought of Junior be drafted and not knowing his future or where he would be stationed. As she cleaned the kitchen and washed the breakfast dishes, I climbed up in a chair beside her to help or to be near her.The other children had gone to school. As she washed, the tears rolled down her cheeks. I wanted to comfort her, so I told her not to worry that I loved her and would never leave her.
She was very close to Junior, maybe because he was the oldest boy or because he was very kind and thoughtful. He was always doing the kindest things like bringing her flowers from the garden or from town when he could drive. He said all the right things to make her feel his love. When he went to work he always brought something home to make mom feel like she was special to him and she was. He would help her with the housework or go to the spring for water.
Junior turned ninety this year. He was in the Army for over three years. He was wounded three times while serving in Italy and Germany during World War Two. He was given the Purple Heart and other awards for his service. He still bowls three days a week. Just this week he bowled over five hundred. He still calls me three times a week to check on his "baby sister". I am so fortunate to have a brother that cares about family and keeps in touch although he has a wife and children he still remembers our family and the fun we had. Junior is a special brother as he has always cared for me. I love him.
