Al and I were lucky for a few years while our Grandparents lived in the big white house. We had cousins who lived very near. Parents would take us trick or treating. Al would never wear a mask. He would scream bloody murder. I never knew what he remembered in his mind but something had made him deathly afraid of so many things.
Mom would dress him up with old clothes from home and would leave his head and face untouched and we would go out and trick or treat. Al didn’t want to go up to the doors so I would always get a couple of extra pieces and put some in his sack too.
I can remember Al and I used to sit for what seemed hours staring at the silver tinsel Christmas Tree. It had one of those moving lights under it and the tree changed colors. All the ornaments would sparkle and I can see Al still smiling so much with those big blue eyes.
When school started we went to the same school. But by the end of Kindergarten Mom and Dad knew that the school we attended could not help Al. He was switched in first grade to a school about three blocks from my school. I walked to school and a special bus came and picked up Al.
He went to the Special Education classes all through elementary grades. These years seem blank to me. He and I were separated for the first time. Different teachers and different programs. I do remember Al going with Mom and Dad to my school activities and me doing the same at Al’s school.
One thing that comes back in my memory is the big fan. In Grandma’s house my Granddaddy hung a big motor fan over the screen door. I used to love to sleep on the couch in the summers and I was lulled to sleep by the noise of the fan. I still use a fan today and so does Al.
One night although it was a school night Al and I got to stay all night at our Grandparents. We were woke up early in the morning while it was still dark. Granddaddy told me that we had a new baby sister.
I don’t remember being thrilled over this. By now I was ten years old and it had always been Al and me. Now we had a sister. I knew that everyone was excited but Al and me. Of course he didn’t understand what that meant that we had another sister. He already had one, me. I felt a little bad inside because I wasn’t sharing in the excitement.
Changes happened then with our family. We moved a way from the happy block. We moved a few miles a way. I wasn’t able to see my Grandparents near as much, which made me sad. Al played more and more on the floor being very quiet and lining up all his hot wheel cars.
I turned to my baby dolls and pretended I was the mommy. I didn’t realize it then but somehow now reading back what I am writing I see that something bad had happened and I needed to be told I love you. I in turn told my baby dolls I loved them. I fed them and changed their diapers and clothes. I pushed them in the baby stroller. I couldn’t fit Al in the baby stroller so I pulled him in the wagon and continued letting him to ride on the back of the big red trike.
An old lady started watching our new baby sister, and eventually we slipped into that group also. Al became more into himself and I started to change too. I would cause problems. I would eat so much junk and then blame it on others. I went so far that I raced in from the garage when we got home and I would open drawers and flip over chairs and then when Mom saw it, I stood back and snickered as she questioned the neighborhood Moms about where had there kids been while we were gone.
I must have been really messed up over the baby sister. It seemed that this is when I began to look at Al as my brother and Dad as my hero and the baby sister as the unwanted.
Al and I were never really involved with the new sister. Al started doing worse at school and he started stuttering. Mom used to have to go into the school that he went to for meetings. She always yelled at Al on how she worked full-time and he needed to straighten up so she didn’t have to be a way from home so much.
I doubt that Al and I knew what really was happening back then , but I do know that Al and I stuck together more and more. It was us against the others. Al didn’t only start his stuttering. He had started getting something called impetigo. It would start on his lip and sometimes it would grow all over his chin.
I can remember Mom picking at the scabs and me yelling at her in my 10-year-old voice to quit hurting him. He was crying and I would run into the bathroom to see why he was crying. She made him cry. She was always picking at his face. I am sure she thought she was helping to get those ugly scabs off. But what about his tears? Didn’t it matter that he was crying? Please leave him alone Mom. Don’t make him cry.
Related articles
- My Brother’s LIfe Journey Chapter 2 (terry1954.wordpress.com)
- My Brother’s LIfe Journey, Chapter 1 (terry1954.wordpress.com)
- Chapter 1, Parkinson’s Disease Journey (terry1954.wordpress.com)
- The Power of Memory (playingfortimeblog.com)
- A Lesson from My Deceased Granddaddy (acupfulofhope.wordpress.com)
- Granddaddy I miss you (livingaccordingtohiswill.wordpress.com)
*hugs* I will pm you with a question about al.. I don’t want to put you on the spot on the comments.
LikeLike
ok
LikeLike
My mother and I had a not so good relationship at all until the past few months. It is sad…
LikeLike
i think it is more common than we think
LikeLike
how did it affect you having a not so good relationship?
LikeLike
My heart breaks with a each post, but I am drawn into them. To get to read and know more about Al’s and your past-Its nice to close the loops. Thank you for sharing your story.
LikeLike
you are welcome Lady. I hope it is making sense
LikeLike
Sense, it is. You speak your heart. I understand.
LikeLike
thank you. it gives me courage Lady to keep going forth with it
LikeLike
Father, I continue to lift Terry and Al up to You, asking You to comfort the pain that both of them still carry to this day. Lord, touch the little girl inside of Terry, who felt and continues to feel so unloved and unwanted, and show her just how much You loved and wanted her. Touch the little boy within Al, who still yearns to be loved and accepted, Father, and comfort him. Father, I thank You for letting Terry be Al’s big sister, so that he always had her to love him and care for him. Thank You Lord, for giving Terry a heart that was filled with love for her brother, and a spirit that was willing to fight for him and protect him, even now, when they are adults.
Lord, please continue to watch over Terry, as she pours out her heart in the story of both hers and Al’s lives, and minister to her Lord, as she relives each moment and each instance. Father, let this writing bring a release to Terry, and comfort to her, in Jesus’ name, amen.
LikeLike
thank you my wonderful friend. I needed to read these words…………
LikeLike
Your post touched me, Terry. Love, Gloria
LikeLike
Hi Granny, I am writing this book because I was asked to. I don’t know if it is an enjoyable read but it may help me in the long run. So glad you stopped by
LikeLike
I hope it brings comfort, Terry.
LikeLike
thank u
LikeLike
Thank you for remembering the past and sharing it with us, Terry. Praying that God does a wonderful work in all of this for you!
LikeLike
it would be nice to finally let go of the past and heal completely
LikeLike
This must be hard to write – emotionally.
LikeLike
it is, the past wasn’t good but it wasn’t bad all the time either
LikeLike
sad
LikeLike
glad you are reading my story Yvonne
LikeLike
You are doing a wonderful job, and whether you know it or not you are cleansing your heart and mind of all the hurts and scars of the past. This will make your heart soften and give your mind peace. I am glad you are doing this Terry for you, for Al and for us; the world, to see what a beautiful heart and soul can come out of such darkness and pain. I am so proud of you but I give God the glory and praise for holding your hand and even lifting you into His arms to carry you when this writing of memories gets too rough. He is the great healer and through the writing He will heal you. Love and prayers my dear one! 🙂
LikeLike
thank you so much Len
LikeLike
Mothers can be cruel…. what a touching story you are taking us through
A tough and honest journey. My childhood was VERY far from a fairytale, so I can relate to some … Heartbreaking story.
LikeLike
thank you my friend. Life is not always a fairy tale is it………..
LikeLike
No, I think very few of has as perfect life.
LikeLike
Pingback: My Brother’s LIfe Journey Chapter 4 | terry1954
Pingback: My Brother’s Life Journey, Chapter 5 | terry1954
Blessing’s Terry. I do hope sharing Al and your life struggles brings you some peace.
LikeLike
it has opened my eyes to some things I have missed through the years
LikeLike
Pingback: Al’s LIfe Journey, Chapter 6 | terry1954
I’ve got tears in my eyes, Terry. It’s like somebody screamed at me, very touching!
LikeLike
I know the truth isn’t always pretty and this was hard to write………….
LikeLike
Pingback: My Brother’s Life Journey Chapter 7 | terry1954
Pingback: Chapter 9 | terry1954
Pingback: I Can’t Even Think of a Title For This | terry1954
Pingback: Chapter10 | terry1954
Pingback: Daily Prompt; Ready For Your Close-Up | terry1954