Steve

Sometimes when I am either traveling along my morning commute or if I am walking down the street to and from work, I may see someone who reminds me of my older brother Steve.  It usually is someone's blue eyes and dirty blond hair that makes me take a second look wondering if this man is him or not.

I do feel as though I would recognize him, though if it was him.  But sometimes I think to myself, "Would I know if it was him if I bumped into him?".

Steve has sky blue eyes and a relaxed stare that could draw anyone in.  My earliest memories with Steve is when he would come to our house to visit during the summer or over a weekend.  I think I was around eight or nine years old when he first started coming around again.  He would be dropped off, but I am not sure who dropped him off.  I don't have a clear recollection of my so-called father dropping him off.  However, I had the fondest memories when he was around.  When we were young, I always felt as though I needed to hug him or touch him.  I am not sure if it was a need I had that when I touched him or was fulfilling a missing part of me?  Or was it because he was my brother and it was extraordinary when he visited.

Probably 75' or 76'

My Grandpa just loved it when Steve would come to visit.

My Grandpa and Steve

  My Grandparents had four girls and then raised me, so when Steve came to visit, it was indeed a treat for him.  I think Steve also enjoyed visiting because we lived in the country with 5 acres of land surrounded by woods.  Steve grew up in the city.   I think he enjoyed being able to run around, be surrounded by the cows and chickens, and then go across the street to the river to play in the river.

I am not sure how or who made plans for him to come around and visit.  He did visit probably once a year until I was old enough to graduate.  It was hard to talk to him in-between the summers.  Steve was never good at communication.  By that, I mean, he rarely called to see how we were doing.  Steve has never grown out of that problem he has with communication.  He just came and went whenever he pleased.  It was always a surprise when we got the phone call that he was coming to visit.