My niece asked that members of the family write something about her Father, my oldest brother, Art, for his 75th birthday celebration. I found myself at a loss for words. Something that doesn't happen too often. I think the reason I had trouble thinking about something to say regarding my oldest brother is because I really never thought about why Art is such an important part of our family. I just knew that he was.
Art, being the firstborn, had the attention of the firstborn. Attention, photos, doting and all the other benefits of being the firstborn. That changed after my sister, Suzie, was born. Art suddenly became big brother and sometimes caretaker for my sister, who had many health issues as a child.
Art fell into the role of big brother very easily. In spite of being relegated to second fiddle by my sister, he harbored no resentments (at least none that I ever heard of).
Since that time, Art helped Mom and Dad with raising our substantially large family. Being the oldest and me, being the middle child (yes, all the things about the middle child are true--look it up), I don't remember a lot of the interactions with my brother. I just know he was there to play baseball with us, drove the Dairy Queen motorized vehicle with the freezer on it one Summer (he was my favorite brother that Summer), and was the first in our family to buy a new car (avocado green Pontiac Firebird convertible, which he allowed us to drive if we washed it. Trust me, we loved driving that car).
I also remember Art and Suzie performing on the local television station on The Hop on WCIA, an American Bandstand type show with dancing and pop music. We were so proud of them when we watched and Art was an amazing dancer. Not just making that up. Suzie and Art were often the featured "spotlight" dancers on the show. It was so much fun watching them. On a more practical note, we also loved it when they got the spotlight dance because they also got to bring home a case of Pepsi, something that we considered quite a treat and weren't allowed to have most of the time.
I also hadn't thought about Art's singing talents (yes, he was a singer--at least in church) for a long time. We were brought up to attend Mass every Sunday (and every day in grade school). Art was one of the first family members to be in the church choir, and he was very good at that, also. I remember he had a relatively strong, deep singing voice. I remember he either sang solos or he drowned out the other choir members with his voice, but he did have singing talent. People would complement him on his vocal skills after Mass. Though he was pretty modest about it, I could tell he was happy to hear the compliments.
I remember also that Art would do anything to help his family. I still remember one Christmas that Mom and Dad were struggling financially. Mom had tried to prepare us for Santa not being able to maybe make it that year (I'm not sure what year that was, but I know I hadn't known about the Santa thing for more than a year or so, so I was probably 8 or 9--don't judge me!). Art, with the help of Suzie, who were both working jobs--Suzie at a Pearman's Pharmacy and Art at Stipp's Shoe Store--decided that they wanted to help.
Art and Suzie bought a couple of gifts for each of us and Christmas went off as usual as the almost Norman Rockwell type Christmas it usually was. I never knew whether Mom and Dad let them know how proud they were of both of them, but I'm sure they felt it. I personally thought it was an amazing thing to do. Christmases were always special times for us. We didn't get many gifts, but each one was appreciated. The ones Art and Suzie bought for us that year were even more special--especially to me, because I knew where they had come from. Loved my brother and sister for helping Mom and Dad not disappoint us on Christmas and to help keep the magic of Christmas alive for my younger siblings.
When Art left home to start his own family with Clare, it was sad that he was moving pretty far away from home. He still had a special place in all of our hearts, but now he had his own family to support and build. He managed to raise five amazing kids who have subsequently created families of their own. The "kids" are a reflection of Art and Clare's dedication, moral character, and family values. You really can't hope for much more than that. Art has a wonderful wife, great kids, grandkids, and friends. I hope he cherishes them as much as we cherish the time he spends with us.
So, Happy Birthday, Art! I hope you have an amazing birthday filled with family and friends that love you and great food! Love you, Big Brother!
