Happy Birthday Jack

                   
                                            my brother Jack

Well today January 29 is my brother Jack’s birthday. These are always special days for us all whether for ourselves or someone in our family or a close friend. Today is one of those epic birthdays because Jack turns another decade older. Decided to say that because I didn’t want to say how old he is because it will tell you how old I am. LOL

Jack is the baby of the family. He is two and half years younger than me and eleven years younger than our sister Barb. Our brother Dick who passed away in 1992 was a year and a half older than me. Although we are closer in age Dick and I were not as close as Jack and I have been. Mainly because Jack and I have more in common than Dick and I. It doesn’t mean I don’t love Dick any less just more interests. Jack and Dick had a pretty good relationship because they had a lot in common as well. That is what made Jack a good baby brother for both of us because we had the same common interests and so he did with Dick.

I talked with Jack on Sunday and wished him a happy birthday. We talk almost every weekend on the phone and it was good to see him last weekend. He told me that his family along with a friend from St. Louis Missouri where he used to live gave him a surprised birthday party. He told me that he had no idea about the party and it was his middle son Ian and his wife Helen that came up with the idea. He told me that he has struggled with the idea being his age now and into the new decade however I know that this birthday party I am sure made it a lot easier on him.

Ian and Helen came from New York to northern Virginia to celebrate his birthday while Danny came from Boston. Leslie and Robby the two oldest live nearby. Leslie is a middle school teacher and Robby works for the USA government. Jack’s brother in-law David and sister-in-law Laurel also live in the same area and so they were able to attend as well. It was one of the reasons that Jack and his wife moved to Norther Virginia to be close to her family. This happened four years ago after Danny graduated from High School. Anne also a teacher wanted a fresh start at a new school and she was having problems getting another job in the St. Louis area so decided to try for one in the north Virginia area. She got the job very soon after applying.

Growing up in Gig Harbor us three boys Dick, Jack and I did some things together though as I said Dick and I didn’t have a lot in common. We played some board games in the winter time when the weather was cold and wet. I wasn’t into them as much as the two of them were. They tried a lot of strategy while I just made a quick move each time. It upset Dick because he didn’t think that I was taking the games seriously which he was actually right. I only was involved because it was better we three than two. So I would go out and shoot basketball shots in-between making my moves. Of course I didn’t have a chance to win. I figured no matter how hard I tried Dick would likely come out victoriously unless Jack found a way to do so. You see the games where ones that Dick invented himself so what chance I have anyway. I was more into sports than being book smart. We lived on the waterfront of Gig Harbor so we had several boats mostly sail boats because that was dad’s love and hobby. All three of us would spend some time on the water though Jack was more interested than Dick and I. This is where Jack was special as well he enjoyed the same things as dad as well. You could say that every family should have a Jack in it. Anyway I salute Jack and happy birthday. I love you your crazy brother Herb.