Dear Paul,

I should wash the truck while blasting some Doors, Robert Plant, Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin today in honor of you on your birthday. But it is scheduled to rain and heaven knows a good truck wash would be ruined with the rain. I will break out some tunes and turn the volume up nice and loud.

Remember when we used to be buddies and I would spend evenings nuzzled up on your arm as you stretched out watching MTV? I think I appreciate good music and you because of these moments.

Or the time you defended me from Jeff, the ever terrorizing older youngest brother, and took a crushing back landing to the heat grate causing almost permanent rectangles imprinted in your ribs and skin? Have they disappeared yet? Thanks for always saving me, every time.

How about the times we spent flying off the snow covered hay barn on inner tubes, mini plastic snowmobiles, or toboggans up at the mountain? Or the hours we spent traversing the mountains many bike trails, or searching the wetlands banks for frogs and salamanders? Good times we shared as children. Do you recall them? Shame it is currently asphalt and condominiums.

I loved walking to elementary school with you. It felt safe. I felt big. The trails through the apartments always scared me after you left for Junior High.

Remember all the times you got out of doing dishes because I fell for the cheap change trick. Slave labor! As long as it bought me a .10 cent Bazooka bubble gum complete with tattoo I was okay with this treatment. You were one lucky son of a gun.

Wish we were still as close. That distance, time and circumstance didn't separate us from making more memories. Still holding out on our yearly camping trip at the property. I wish you a great day with your family. Your a lucky man to have those three in your life. Happy Birthday!

Love you,
Jen