THE COMPULSIONS OF A LITTLE BROTHER

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted September 7, 2004)

What's more fun than embarrassing your big sister when you're a little boy?
Well, perhaps it's doing it when you're a grown man.

It might not have been my best effort..... but it was a good one. Of course, you probably had to be there.
My older sister Sara (the prim and proper one of my siblings) traveled from Georgia to Nashville last football season with her husband, the distinguished doctor in our family, and a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.

They came to attend the Vanderbilt - Georgia football game with my wife and me.
Now, bear in mind, this is a woman who recently grabbed a hat off my head because I was wearing it inside a casual little catfish place..... "not the proper thing", she exclaimed.

When we picked them up in front of their fancy hotel to drive to the game, I stepped out of the car shirtless, and with a big "V" attached to my bare chest.

I could hear my sister gasp from across the parking lot, as visions of having to sit next to me in front of thousands of people raced through her Emily Post inspired mind.

Well, after a brief humiliation of my own.... that is, being recognized by some local TV viewers.... I put my shirt back on, much to the relief of my sister and brother-in-law.

Sara is 3 years older than me. But because she celebrates her birthday in August, while mine comes in September... every year, for a few brief wonderful weeks, she is, numerically, 4 years older than me.

I always make a big deal of this. But this year I didn't...... I forgot her birthday. That's why I'm writing this today.
Happy belated birthday Sara.
Vanderbilt's playing down in Georgia this year.
Perhaps I'll drive down and meet you and some of your distinguished friends for the game.

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