For Karen and Mark...Thanks!

“I remember way back then when everything was true and when
We would have such a very good time…
Such a fine time, such a happy time…
And I remember how we'd play, simply waste the day away.
Our house, was our castle and our keep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, that was where we used to sleep
Our house, in the middle of our street.”

--“Our House” by Madness, 1981.



I wanted to take a moment to “get” sappy.

The last few months have been “interesting” to say the least, but there is a constant, and that is the support from Karen and Mark.

Karen is my sister who is six years older than me, and Mark is my brother four years my elder. Hmm…maybe I was a mistake. Mom and Dad will answer to that. I will not.

Karen has dealt with some personal tragedy as to the loss of her Grandson. Mark has moved and is starting a paper from the bottom up.

Both are stressed with their recent changes.

Both have continued to be supportive of me.

It is said that the sibling relationship is the longest lasting—longer than a parent and a child and longer than friends, marriage partners, or pets.

I have known and tormented Karen for 43 years; as long as I have been a nuisance for Mark.

Still, I trust the two of them. Still, I am proud of the two of them. Still, I love the two of them too.

When I was ill, Karen cared for me. When I was down, Mark cheered me up. They made sacrifices, as did my folks when I was a sick kid.

Now that life has turned, not better or worst, just turned; they have welcomed me back into the fold and have been supportive.

So thanks.

Thanks for the 40th Birthday party; thanks for coming down when I was having surgery; thanks for helping me through some troubled times; and thanks for putting up with…well…thanks for putting up with me and (as one of my co-workers referred) “Dark Eric.” Maybe I took that Batman thing too seriously.

Anyway, a glimpse in the personal psyche aside, I am proud of Karen and Mark and hope I can make them regain their pride in me.

Next week, something more humorous or curmudgeon like, I promise. If this one bothers you, go read my Metal Blog.