Esme

Esme is just above me in the birth order of our family. Esme is artistic, beautiful, hard working and often the one who holds things together for her family and ours.

I remember well the thrill of the crime as I would sneak in her room and play her treasured Donkey Kong game.

One of my fondest memories is taking turns bouncing a ball against a wall for hours as she recounted a book she was reading at school.

As we both learned to drive our relationship took a turn for the worse. We seldom made it a mile together without one or the other exiting the vehicle and walking home.

Esme is an artist, whether it is a paint brush or a garden tool in her hand something beautiful is left behind.

Speaking of beautiful things Esme’s greatest art is her children. It would be impossible to describe the effort and sacrifice she has made for them. The effort was not in vain. A new generation of beautiful, artistic and successful women have emerged, along with an awesome young man who is framing homes.

Twice in the last 6 months Esme has helped me out when I needed it most without me saying a word. Watching her “get things done” both times took me back to when my mum would help me clean my room, get my life organized or just simply lift my spirits with an encouraging comment.

Thank you Esme for reminding me of her. She would be so happy you helped her son, your brother. Especially a brother who though younger was always a superior driver. As I write that I laugh. It is not true. I drive like the old man that I am now, holding up traffic with a blinker on. Esme drives fast. Because if she hurries, she may just get a few hours sleep before she starts working again.

Proud to be her brother.

If you read this far, thank you.

Tris