...not in arrogance, but in sureness. He is confident he can help anyone and everyone, or at least he will try. It's his responsibility through election, but it's his choice by selection. He has chosen to be a public servant.
I love to watch the reaction of people when I tell them my brother is the sheriff of Dodge City, Kansas. They immediately ask how Matt Dillon is doing?
...and then I get to brag that my brother's picture hangs in the Ford County court house next to Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and all the other famous cowboy/Sheriff's of Dodge, you know, the ones that died with their boots on.
Dean serves in an elected position and we all know in today's political climate what that means...one bad newpaper report and you are out on your keester, or keyster, or k'ster, or keestar (how ever you spell that).
I have been known to complain that I didn't grow up with a sister...but I've learned something. You can always find a sister(don't misunderstand that statement, because a good, really good, adopted sister is hard to come by)...women naturally bond and love each other. For example, my brother's wife, Debbie, is a saint (I'm not just saying that, she's Catholic, so she really could be a saint someday), and Matthew's sister, Christine, also a saint (as in latter-day saint). They have rallyed around me when I needed it most the past few months.
...but a brother is a little harder to come by. By nature, men don't go around looking for someone to bond with and become siblings with. You have to be born as a brother to be a brother. (I'm not trying to dish men, I just have an opinion on this and you all know I love men, well certain men, anyway, but I believe God made men and women different, fortunately, so women are bonders, men, not so much). However, I did watch my dad when he saw his fellow soldiers at army reunions and they were as much brothers as any man could be.
(Dean and I in the middle with our mom's brothers on each side, Uncle Howard on the left and Uncle Fred on the right, great men all of them and the only place I feel short)
As a child, I always felt safe when Dean was with me and I knew if anyone picked on me he would take them down. Actually, Dean is a great negotiator so he probably would have just talked to them, but one good talking to by Dean and you won't cause trouble again.
...to say I'm proud of Dean is an understatement. I'm proud and honored to call him my big brother. He has given me far greater love than I ever earned and help me feel safe when I really needed it.
People have told me how their families have broken up over wills and trusts when their parents died. Not us...no way...nothing is more important than Dean to me and I believe he feels the same way about me. It feels good to know he is watching over the farm, taking care of my half as if it is his own.
We are the only two left now that mother is gone, certain memories that only he and I share. Over time those memories will only grow and our time together will become more precious.
Dean has an attitude that tells me I am the most important thing to him when we are together...
...and I cherish that.
...and I can't wait to see him again.
1 comment:
Those are great pictures of you and Dean. You said some really sweet things about him. I am so glad you were able to spend some along time together when you were in KS.
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