On exactly this day, now decades ago, my three brothers arrived. Yep, all three of them at once (my parents being very efficient). I look pretty happy about it in this photo, don't I? But you see, no one had yet explained to me that these cute new babies would one day grow strong legs and learn to speak.
Years later, they would bring all forms of wildlife into our home and accidentally let them loose. Snakes were a favorite. They would terrorize my boyfriends when they came to the door - my first shy one, especially. I would find cut-out silhouettes of bats in my bedroom window to scare me when I turned on the lights. Just when I would calm down, I might find a prickly shellfish (they affectionately named "Spike") at my feet under the covers. They painted a wide black stripe down the hood of my first car. Not so many years ago there was a video-taped reading of my diary entry that described my first kiss - shared with my entire family after "the boys" found it while cleaning my parents' basement.
To this day, when I try to share an opinion at the family dinner table, I might hear a favorite quote, "Yea but what do you know? You once exchanged a Peter Frampton Live album for Abba!" (Laughs all around...)
And yet. My brothers try to stay in touch even though I moved thousands of miles away. They are all great fathers. Present with their children. Family oriented in a way that - even for me - I know I will always be able to go "home" if I need to because their doors will be open in whatever form is possible. Together we've celebrated holidays, family birthdays and little picnics. We've made each other furious. Hurt each others' feelings. And endured through losing our father and others.
Guess what, Boys? It turns out that you and I have stood the test of time like - well, might I say it - Abba. Mamma Mia! Happy birthday! And much love wishing you, Abba and me many more.
Oh, and one sarcastic comment from any of you and the rest of the photos will surface. I have a blog now, you know! :-)
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