Happy Birthday Brother!

Happy 36th Birthday, 'los!!!

The Bond That Never Was (Part One)

As children, Matt and I rarely saw the world in a similar vein.   We shared many things in life, our parents and younger brother, Tim, being primary, of course. We both attended grade school at Holy Trinity and high school at Aquinas.  We hung out with many of the same neighborhood kids, although rarely together.  We would spend hours and hours, creating our Lego masterpieces as well as collecting Match Box cars. As we got older, we developed a renewed interest in music, developing a passion for the post modern sounds of Morrissey and The Smiths, Depeche Mode, and Joy Division.  Our worlds were in so many ways the same.  Yet, fundamentally, our worlds could not have been more different.

I regret that Matt and I really never truly bonded with each other.  As a child, this conclusion was not readily apparent to me.  After all, siblings are presumed to love and adore each other. It is unrealistic to imagine siblings who always appreciate the quirks and idiosyncrasies of one another.  Without question, there are times when brothers and sisters fight, be it over a toy or the TV watching schedule.  And, there are those times of jealousy and resentment over the distribution of parental time and affection.  Despite it all, siblings usually regroup and move on from these childhood transgressions.  The bond between siblings is protective. We forgive and hopefully, forget.  We move on because that is what siblings do.  Or, so I thought.  Or, so I hoped.  Or, so I desperately wanted.

Very honestly, our relationship did not flourish for lack of trying.  I remember lying on the brown carpeting of our dining room floor, my hands propping up my face, a sea of Matchbox cars in front of me.  Matt, would lie in similar position, although I remember that it was very difficult for him to stay in one position for any length of time as he always appeared as if he had "ants in his pants."  We would create an inventory of our respective car stock, sometimes trading a race car for an ambulance.  We would line our cars in our "parking lot," manipulating them in the manner we wanted them displayed.  We would "chase" each others' vehicle though imaginary terrain and unanticipated hazards.  These brief moments of enjoyment were fleeting, as invariably, Matt wanted the cars to smash into one another.  He would fling cars throughout the room.  Wheels would fall off, windows would break, and a few cars invariably, destroyed. Matt reveled in these violent displays of car crashes, especially those in which the car occupants would suffer horrendous fates.  I did not really understand this need for intensity and wanted less violence.  I bristled at the thoughts that cars would smash and explode.  In retrospective, without much surprise, very few of our infrequent play sessions ended well.  The resulting frustration and anger lingered into the next foray until no more attempts were made to play with our cars together.  It became that we no longer played together at all as we so seldom saw eye to eye.

Why were Tim and I able to bond when Matt I couldn't?  I have always felt such an intense connection with Tim, yet only superficiality with Matt.  Why were we unable to develop  a minimal affinity with one another during our early childhood years?  This realization is the mourning of an unfulfilled dream.  Matt is my brother, yet I share no emotional connection with him.  This is not how sibling relationships are *supposed* to be.

Amidst a bond that never solidified is a regret that only deepens.  

The Coloring Cousins

Break out the crayons!

A Good Laugh

Shannon and Eamon engage in some silliness.

(Unfortunately, we were not able to include a photo of *just* Shannon and Emma as Emma was not feeling particularly well when the photos were taken).  :(

A Visit From Cousin Shannon

Eamon and Emma enjoyed a very fun weekend visit from the oh so awesome Cousin Shannon! This past week, the kids anticipated her visit with much excitement and much discussion. Needless to say, Shannon did not disappoint.

Shannon and her two young cousins played board games, created robots out of Legos, and read many a book (among other things). Shannon also pulled the kids in the wagon to the park via the walking trail (not once but twice).  She may not have anticipated that her visit would include these workout sessions.  

Shannon's visit was also a treat for Mom and Dad (a.k.a. Shannon's aunt and uncle).  We spent much time chatting with Shannon while catching up on all of the happenings in her life.  We also enjoyed a Saturday evening meal sans kiddos which for us (and most parents) is a rare occasion, indeed. On Sunday, B and I decided to go bowling, something we had not done in well, ages. We both had much fun but determined that we will not be touring with the Pro Bowling Circuit anytime soon.  Our scores were quite low as compared to another bowler a few lanes over who was legally blind.  (This information was provided to us by the bowling alley attendant, who also gave us a few pointers).  I am sure our bowling maneuvers were to his chagrin, however, as he appeared to have a somewhat pained look on his face while watching us bowl.

In any case, the weekend was truly wonderful.  Thank you Cousin Shannon!  We love you.

The Return of Cousin Andrew

My cousin Andrew has served in the military for several years, having served in Afghanistan and Iraq, among his many dangerous and precarious assignments. Soon, he will return to the (relieved and happy) embrace of his family and friends.  May he experience all of the very best as he begins this new chapter in his life!  Welcome home, Andrew!