If you are the youngest sibling in your family, you know that being the “baby” can be a curse or a gift. Fifty-seven years ago today I was replaced as the baby of the family by my brother Rick. I probably wasn’t too happy about that. You see, being the baby has its advantages. You are the center of attention (at least for the first few years), everyone thinks you are so cute (and I could have done cute for quite a while), Mom and Dad let you get away with murder, you have the advantage of learning from the mistakes of your older siblings, and you have your pick of bedrooms when they leave the house.
BUT… I also concede it has its disadvantages. Aside from FOREVER being called the “baby” of the family, you’re not in as many pictures because Mom is too busy to take them, you get hand-me-down clothes, your older siblings don’t want to hang around with you while you’re still a kid, and you’re all alone after they leave the house with just Mom and Dad to contend with. It’s a tossup as to which is better, but for me, I’m glad my baby brother came along.
Richard, Ricky, Rick was born on July 6, 1953. He’s a Monday’s Child, meaning he’s “fair of face.” I agree. He was an adorable baby that grew into a handsome man. To get there though, he went through a transformation as you will note from the pictures I’ve posted here.
Rick has always loved music. There’s a picture of him when he was 3 or 4 years old playing a plastic guitar. He is in his underwear (ala Tom Cruise in Risky Business) holding that little guitar like the rock star he later hoped to become. I believe Mom still has that picture somewhere. I wish I had it to post here. It would have made you smile. Little did we know what an influence that guitar would have on him.
In August, 1969, when Rick was just 16, his love for music and to see those who performed it compelled him to take off with some friends and journey to Woodstock which, as we all know now, was a history making event. And he didn’t even tell Mom or Dad he was going!! What reckless abandon he had!!
I have many fond memories of me and my brother Rick, but there is one memory that will be forever in my heart. On a visit to see family in 1993, Rick whisked me away from the house to take me to see the movie Jurassic Park. All it took was him asking me if I had seen it and me answering no. The next thing I knew we were in the car and on our way without telling anyone we were going!! I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie with him and I think he enjoyed watching me watch the film. I clearly remember him laughing as I jumped out of my skin and screamed out loud as a raptor tried to get at one of the actors in the movie. You do remember how intense Jurassic Park was, don’t you? What a great time that was for me!! What made it really special was that it was just me and my baby brother doing something together, just the two of us. At the time I don’t think I realized what a wonderful memory Rick was creating for me. And for that I am grateful.
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
RICK!
Love and Hugs, Sis