Thursday Thirteen #9

On Saturday, March 17th, 1990 @ 12 midnight, will mark the 17 th anniversary of my brother's passing. I'd like to share some things about him. He was such a special young man, who knew how to have fun, enjoy life and bring joy to others.

Toot's I miss and love you so much. You are always in my thoughts.

* Manuel was born on Sunday, May 10, 1970. It was Mother's Day. Boy did we celebrated. My dad took my sister and I, to our favorite Italian restaurant. We had our first sip of red wine and toasted my brother's birth.

* He was an answered prayer to my sister and I. We had prayed for years for a baby brother. We loved him so much.

* I was the oldest of three. I was seven and my sister was six when he was born. So we were old enough to really help out.

* I loved to hold him and give him his bottle. We bonded instantly.

* He wore these little cute, baby blue terry cloth training pants. He couldn't say blue briefs (in Spanish) so he would call them, "cuthuthy lul" (calzonsillo- briefs, azul- blue)". You gotta know Spanish to understand. LOL!

* Our home was spacious enough that he was allowed to ride his tricycle inside. While riding his tricycle, he loved to pretend he was a police officer. He would "scribble" us tickets for made up infractions. He didn't know how to write yet. He would even wear my dad's white motorcycle helmet. He really looked the part.

* He was the baby of the family, but he was very protective of his sisters. When my Knight came courting, he would come and sit between us. To insure that "nothing" was going on. :o) It never bothered me. I knew he cared for me. Praise the Lord my Knight was just as understanding.

* He was twelve when I got married. As I was getting into the car, he hugged me, kissed me and told me, " I love you so much. I'm going to miss you." He was the last one I saw as our car was pulling away from the reception. He was crying. My Knight was in the Army and stationed in Louisiana. So I was moving away.

* When he was in high school he worked as a lifeguard. He saved a little boy from drowning.

* Girls loved him and guys wanted to be like him. I'm not saying that cause he was my brother, but he had a way about him. He was charming, easy going & friendly. People were automatically drawn to him. He had a smile that would knock your socks off. His eyes twinkled mischievously. He was handsome and he knew it, but it never went to his head. He had a big heart. He was kind, loving and tender hearted. What a combination.

* He was very athletic. He lettered in baseball, football and wrestling. He loved being a Police Explorer. He loved life and lived to the fullest.

* He was thrilled when we had our first, second and third baby girl. He would call them, "my girls". As soon as I went into labor with them, he and my sister would hop in the car and drive 5 hours to come and welcome their niece. He was not able to be here for our third baby girl's birth. He was in the Army by then. He was in the 82nd Airborne Division. His goal was to be a RANGER. He was well on his way.

* He called me two hours before the car accident. His last words to me were, "Remember that I love you and take good care of my girls."

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