September 1, 2001
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More Steveishness
**An Aside: Steve was born two months early. My mother had encephalitis (inflamed brain lining) and meningitis during her pregnancy with Steve. This was 1960, before HMOs, and they kept you in the hospital for months at a time then -- this was good, because they got her the proper nutrients and bed rest that she may not have been able to do at home. The doctors had given baby Steve no chance of survival, and my mother a 50/50 shot. They're both alive and well today.**
Steve, despite his shaky beginnings, grew big and strong. (This picture is one of my favorites of the two of us, circa about 1982. His curls are natural, mine were permed.) My mother attributes this to the yummy vitamins, nutritions and various drugs he got from her during her hospitalization with him.
However, Steve's personality never matched his body. As I said earlier, he was cute and round and clueless, and remains so today. This became especially apparent the older we got, and I remember an incident in high school that really brought this home.
Steve in 12th grade, I was in 9th, and we had just started at a new school. One day, I was walking in the hall behind two jock-types, and heard them talking.
"Hey, there's a new guy -- a senior. He's BIG."
"Yeah? Maybe he'll join the basketball team. That'd be great!"
"Nah. He's big, but he's stupid, and a dork. Just a big dumb idiot."
There I was, a brand new freshman in a new school... and I went off. A protective instinct awoke in my head -- you parents know the one, it's what you feel when a child near you is threatened. You jump to protect them. In this instance, I went on a verbal rampage that left these poor guys so stunned, they just stood in the hall and stared, finally stammering, "Uh, sorry."
Steve wasn't stupid. He was goofy and maybe dorky, but he later surprised all of us with SAT and other standardized test scores. He's not a Rain Man, but he did win offers for full-ride, four year scholarship to any public university in Michigan.
So THERE, Jock-Boys!
Comments (17)
Oh what a GGGGGGGGREAT picture. Makes me teary Sadzi. His smile is incredible. Perfect. And I like yer big ol puzzle book too.
Must have been a prized possession.
(sniff) It really WAS my favorite puzzle book!
See the way Steve's hand is curled like that? He does that when he's nervous, or thinking hard.
...and the shirt - have a coke and a smile..
The pic is a treasure Sadzi.
I wasn't blessed with a brother, though I can still relate to the sibling 'protectiveness'. What a great blog for your brother.
On the lighter side, I laughed to myself when I saw your pic.....don't get me wrong....it was the crossword puzzle book you're holding. I think I have a few pics of me back in the day holding the same books...(pennypress I think)
Great picture of both of you! You look so tiny next to great big Steve!
Fabulous picture...wonderful entry! My big brother and I share a very close bond, too. Born two years apart, yet we still have a secret "twin" language. I just loved your story. Steve is lucky to have such a loving "big" sister.
Tee
Lovely story!
Beautiful picture... lovely memory...
YOU are a wonderful sister, Sadzi... I wish both of mine were half as good as you.
All right Steve! Wow...he is a big guy! Handsome, too!
Can't say it enough... you're one cool sis!!
That's a great picture.
great story... Steve is lucky to have such a sister
What a darlin' you are. Your loyalty is wonderful.
Great story. I enjoyed it. I bet it came in handy having Steve as a BIG brother too.
Steve sounds like a wonderful person... kids are cruel and thoughtless... I'm glad everything's turned out for the good though!
that is great that you all are so close, make me wish my parents tried harder to have another one!
Great pic AND story!.....