My sister Corine was a sibling rival and one of my heroes. It was not easy to be a brother of someone who did so much during our time together. She as a swimmer, skater, cheerleader captain (the team won the city championship in her junior year) painter and illustrator, musician, scholar (NHS and graduate of Hiram College) and friend. When my parents struggled with bad times, she kept me laughing.
Dear Corine:
You once sent me a birthday card of childhood memories. Here are some of my own and my favorites.
*You told me once that nickel was worth more than a dime because “a “nickel is bigger.”
*I was “helper” in your newspaper (The Scoop) route; you paid me a nickel.
*We walked to E. 185th in the proverbial snow storm to buy the family Christmas tree. As we dragged it the more than a mile trip home, I broke the Styrofoam candy cane you bought. You flashed that winning smile and said “we’ll tape it together later.
*Always an artist, you created your own templates of The Nativity and using a window cleaning wax, created a beautiful scene for all to see in our front windows.
*I remember when you decided you were too old to share a bedroom with me and then asked me to help you drag your bed up to the attic of the house.
*You called me Stinky until I was potty trained and then Butch. I liked Butch as it was way cooler than Walter.
*I was passenger during your solo drive in Dad’s 56 Pontiac; you missed a turn at Penhurst at Claremont Street and ran in to a neighbor’s porch steps. I think you also once drove to the Beach (Lake Erie) before you had a license.
*You taught me how to play tennis.
*The first time you let me play Kick the Can, I kicked it at you, causing a wound that needed stitches
*You came from Pittsburgh to Cleveland to see me speak six lines in the Hanna Theater production of "Anything Goes".
Thank you!
We did not spend much time together as adults. Our worlds moved in different locations and directions.
You were, and are, perhaps the most talented person I have ever known, poet, musician, artist, athlete, scholar and of course parent. You were both my sibling rival (mostly my fault) and among my favorite heroes.
You always stood up for me when I was in trouble with Mom or anyone else.
The angels will love your smile; no doubt they will envy you skills on Harp.
Love,
Butch
