December 7, 2011

Shifting gears today and moving from aprons
to tote bags. This apron is as colorful and fun
on the reverse side as it is on the front.

There’s always a special bond between an older brother and a younger sister. When you’re young, you’re best friends who play together and think you’ll always be together. Then as you get older and meet other kids, the friendship strains. Athough he never loses his protectiveness, he wishes you wouldn’t show up to play baseball or football in the street with him and his buds, unless the team is a player short. Thinking you’ll always be together is thrown out the window as you fight for backseat space on family vacations. In the teen years, you can’t stand the fact that he always teases you. You’re jealous because he’s a better student. It’s just not fair that he has his driver’s license and you don’t. And you’re sure that your parents like him more than you. Then he goes away to college and once again you're friends. He comes home for weekend visits and wants to hang out with you and your girlfriends. He doesn't seem nearly as annoying as when he lived at home full time. Then he falls in love and can’t wait for you to meet his girlfriend. He gets married and has children, and you love them as if they were your own. As you age you don’t have much in common, but you love him because he's your “big” brother. Then suddenly, prematurely, he gets sick, and the older brother you thought would be your friend forever is gone.

There’s always a special bond between an older brother and a younger sister, even when he is just a memory. I’m remembering my “big” brother, Truett Bryan Akin, III, who was born on Sept. 25, 1950, and died on Dec. 7, 2004.

Today I’m creating two bios and then it’s up to the craft area for more sewing. Sunday and my home market will be here before I know it!