Michael, Michael, Motorcycle

December 9th, 1985, Monday, was 12,784 days ago, and my baby brother Michael was born! In 1985, the name Michael was the most popular boy’s name and that is where my brother, Michael, and normal split paths.

I would like to share a few of my memories of my one and only brother, “Michael, Michael, Motorcycle (Mrs. Wishlynski, Glen Acres Elementry School)”.

To begin with, I didn’t want ANOTHER brother! I wanted a sister, more specifically, I wanted triplet sisters. My mom was big enough for 3 to be in there, and I was confident in such, so until I was to see this BOY with my own eyes, nobody was convincing me of anything.

A few days later, my parents brought Michael home. Yup, you were a boy. I am so glad that I have this ability to turn a negative into a positive because you sure turned out to be so much better than any sister could have been!

Here is a funny memory that you have heard many times… Remember us telling you about how huge you were compared to many toddlers? Wintertime in Indiana in the ’80s was not the easiest time to get 3 children under 7 years old loaded up, at least according to Grandma! We will never forget the story, Grandma was exhausted chasing us around and trying to take us to see Mom. Grandma was chasing 3 kids, one child potty training, one in pre-k, and ME! I know that I was nothing except helpful (bossy).

*** Cold, icy, dark Indiana afternoon***

Grandma was trying to herd us into the minivan taking us to see Mom in the hospital and you were being tricky.

Grandma chases Michael down and goes to swoop him up:

“Michael! Do you have rocks in your pockets”?

Michael: {pulls two fists of rocks out with his little hands} “YEAH!!!” Proud little boy! :)

Michael, from the day you were born I have marveled at you. This year, as you turn 35, I look at other’s turning 35. Did you know that Pictonary was created 35 years ago, or that Gun’s & Rose’s turned 35 this year? In May 1985, scientists from the British Antarctic announced that there was a large "hole" in the ozone layer over Antarctica. The Colombian volcano eruption that left 25,000 dead and the Mexico City earthquake killing 7,000 also happened.

I can’t remember where the car keys are, but I vividly remember signing you out of kiddie college, walking home & fixing snacks as mom headed home from school. I didn’t like it when kids picked on you because they couldn’t understand you, I understood you perfectly and I thought they were stupid. I had your back, like it or not (you didn’t like it)!

My first kiss, yup… you had to show up there, too! I tried so hard to be mad at you when you ran back to the minivan telling mom, “Mark kissed Amanda, Mark kissed Amanda”! I laughed out loud & could not get you to shut UP!

Oh! Our childhood was one in a million, and I am so happy to be your sister! I would have hated having sisters anyway, I take up too much time and attention.

Happy Birthday, to a wonderful brother and Mom’s 2nd favorite child... Michael, Michael, Motorcycle!

You, my brother, make this world 🌎 so much better and I am so grateful to have been ”YOUR” ’manda for more years than you can remember! 💕🌟🌺