Twins; although not by birth

We are connected, and made quite a pair.

The big Brother, and the little sister,

O’ Captain, My Captain….I followed you everywhere.

Cereal, pancakes, Saturday morning cartoons

Sledding down an icy hill and waiting for Santa’s sleigh,

Spending summer days at the river, climbing trees that were too tall

These are a few of a thousand memories that cruel fate can’t take away.

The forts we built deep in the field

Shined bright of Carolina red clay,

And weren’t we a sight, later that night…

Before we washed all the mud away!

Endless days spent on top of the playhouse,

Eating little green apples without a care.

And even though those days will never come again,

I can close my eyes, smile…and clearly see you there.

Our playhouse is long gone now,

Gleaming white paint chipped; wood rotten.

But the fun times that we had there,

Will never be forgotten.

When you turned into a teenager,

As children tend to do,

I was now just a pest and an aggravation…

But you kept me around, and let me be a little sister too.

And as I grew into my own teen years,

I found no place to fit in.

So you took me along with you into your world;

And shared your knowledge, your life and your friends.

And when we came upon mischief,

Of one kind or another…

You kept me out of harm’s way:

The world’s greatest big brother.

I know you are with Daddy now,

And I’m sure he missed you so.

But I still wish, my brother, and dearest friend,

That you didn’t have to go.

Besides your music and feats of bravery,

You leave a legacy larger than life.

Your marvelous gift to us my brother,

Is a fine son, two beautiful daughters, a grandchild and a loving wife.

Your life affected so many.

They are all here asking…  “God, why did he have to go?”

We will try to remember that there is a reason…

It is just not for us to know.

Your little magician’s assistant,

I will always be.

And you will live on forever in my heart,

No matter how far you may seem.

You are my big brother, my Nonnie, my hero…

And that will never change.

A large chunk of me went with you;

But a big piece of you, inside me, still remains.

Goodbye Johnny….I will always love you.

B.