3 posts tagged “justin”
My brother is the coolest, most interesting, funny kid you could ever hope to meet. When we were growing up, we moved all over the place, just about every year. As a result, Justin and I became very close because it wasn't always easy to be the new kid and make friends. So we were each other's best friend. We still are.
The day Justin was born is one of my very first memories. I was at my grandparent's house, and I am pretty sure it was snowing. We lived in Amarillo, Texas at the time. My grandparents took me to the hospital to meet him, and I thought he was really sort of boring. I wanted to name him Tumbleweed.
Pretty much all my favorite childhood memories involve Justin. I love that if there's a cartoon or movie or toy that I remember and nobody else does, I can call him up and he'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I love that if I call him up and say something stupid like, "And you know what the deer's doing? It's hitting you in the face!" he'll erupt in laughter, because he's basically the only other person on the planet who gets that joke. I think it's so neat that there's this other person who shared in my entire childhood; I can't imagine not having a sibling. It's so interesting the things he remembers from growing up and what I remember from growing up. Between the two of us we have an extensive archive of memories that we share.
Although there were times I certainly wished I was an only child, I never meant it of course. I hope that when I have children someday they are as close and as happy as my brother and I were. I know people who aren't close to their siblings at all, and I can't even fathom that. It's so silly; so sad. Those people have no idea what they are missing out on.
So happy birthday, Tumbleweed. Thanks for being the greatest brother in the world; I love you to pieces.
I wish I had had my camera out. I didn't; but if I had you would be looking at the greatest photo you've ever seen in your life right now. It was Friday evening. I was walking through Central Park with my dad, Justin, Jennifer and Stephanie. The sun was setting; it was getting chilly. We were walking along one of the bike paths. Lots of people were riding their bikes or jogging, and that's when we saw her come flying: the roller blading nun. She was dressed in full nun garb, her habit flowing in the wind, the rosary beads around her neck streching perilously behind her as she flew down the path on her skates. Blink and you'd miss her. Justin, Stephanie and I stopped and turned around. She flew down the bike path. She was older, maybe almost sixty. For a moment we were speechless. What exactly does one say after that?
This is city surprises me everyday. Just when I think I've seen everything, the city shakes its head and laughs, "Just you wait."
Everyday I am amazed.
This weekend was our first taste of autumn in New York. It dipped down into the 60s [although it felt colder], and I was left with the realization that I am going to freeze to death in a few short months. I don't know how this winter thing works. I don't understand the concept of snow that sticks or ice or ear muffs. These are foreign concepts to my Southern mind.
My only close encounter with winter came when I was seven or eight years old. We moved to Hudson, Ohio [just outside of Cleveland] in September one year. It was beautiful: we were coming from Texas and were greeted by the changing leaves; everything was gold and red and orange. It was when I first fell in love with autumn; it was the first time I remember a noticeable change in the seasons. Sadly, this beautiful, temperate time didn't last. By
Yet, here I am, back in a cold climate for the second time in my life. Dreading the impending winter more and more everyday. Taking an inventory of my clothes and realizing I have no sweaters, maybe two long sleeved shirts, no good, solid winter boots. I'll have
I did enjoy our autumn-like weekend. My dad, brother, step-mom, step-sister and my brother's girlfriend flew in for a visit. I had to play tour guide, of course, but it was so good to see everyone. We went to the Met; walked through Central Park; out to two fabulous dinners. I took them to Battery Park where we waited in line for an hour to board the
