This is my brother, John, at his high school graduation last year (with my sister, Dottie). They are the babies in our family of seven kids. John has six older sisters. Count them. Six. I am his favorite. (smirk) Don’t tell the others. He is absolutely, hands down, my favorite brother. No contest.
This is John climbing a telephone pole. From the time I can remember – which is much longer than he can since he is fourteen years my junior, he has been climbing things. When he was a toddler, he would climb doorways (from the floor to the ceiling) by wrapping his feet around the wood trim. In one section of my mom’s first floor, the doorframe of the steps sits close to the door of the office, powder room and hallway arch which sits close to the dining room. He would start at the stairway door and go around all the doors without touching the floor. But I digress… you are probably asking why he is on this telephone pole.
So he can do things like this, of course!
And this…
All this to say that I am dedicating this Memorial Day to him. He signed the dotted line to join the Army National Guard Special Forces last month. Say that five times fast. I dare you.
All this to say that I am dedicating this Memorial Day to him. He signed the dotted line to join the Army National Guard Special Forces last month. Say that five times fast. I dare you.
He’s a natural. When my mom asked him why he enlisted he said, “Mom, there’re a lot of nasty people in this world and I want to protect my family from them.”
So this year, I’m thanking my brother for stepping forward to protect his mom, his six older sisters and his 11 nieces and nephews. Oh, and your family too.
And because it’s important, I’d also like to thank Henry’s cousins: Aron Stamper and Milton Stamper; and cousin-in-laws: Jonathan Britton, Jeremy Grove, and Wesley Free. You too, Papa! I didn’t forget your service to our country even though it’s been 60 years!! (Love you and hope you’re doing well.) And a thank you in memory of my grandfather, William T. Ennis, Sr., who flew 31 mission in the European Theater as a bombadier in WWII. These men sacrifice time with their family and risk their lives seeing things we only watch on the movie screens. They deserve our undying gratitude. Love you guys!! Be safe.
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (3)
Great post!
I must ask, however, is that a chessboard pattern shaved into your brother’s hair? AWESOME!
Thank you to all the men and women who serve and keep us safe!!
Oh cool! Tell him thank you for me! Looks like a neat young man.
(Saw you on Lysa’s blog and thought you were my friend Jennifer in California…so glad to “meet” you) 🙂
Have a blessed day.