Almighty for $500 Please Alex
We often read stories or see movies about siblings who are so different, you wonder how they were raised under the same roof. I wonder how my brother and I were raised by the same parents. It helps a bit to know that we were both adopted and that nature may have had more of a hand in things than nurture, but still...When we were children, my parents took us out to fine restaurants all the time. We were exposed to fine dining and social interaction well before other kids because Mom and Dad were in the foreign service or - (TICAHDC) The International Cocktail And Hors Dourves Club. They entertained people from all over the world for over 20 years. All parties ending with my father's cringe-inducing call of 'Oiy yay, Oiy yay! Please sign the guest book before you leave!'. Years later I found out it was their way of calculating the number of guests entertained for business taxes. Rest assured, since Dad retired, they like you to sign the book because - well, they like you and want to remember you!
We were well behaved children and didn't mind having to dress-up and act properly. We attended church regularly with no fuss. We didn't feign illness to get out of school, we wrote thank you notes to our relatives for the hideous robes sent each year. Our parents were faily normal, or shall I say, less dysfunctional than most and pretty happy. There's no doubt that we had the basis for a good, solid socially gracious and responsible life.
Around 16, my brother found out how cool he was. He became charming to women and men and was very persuasive. Helped along by good looks, a swagger, recreational pharmaceuticals and a generous nature, my brother became Mr. Popularity. He still had all the charm and social grace we learned in our younger years, but the crowds he started to socialise and work with didn't really emphasize manners as much.
My brother found himself not interested in higher education so he ended his schooling after High School. Probably a backlash for being sent to Military High School - where he flourished as the most popular troublemaker. He went on to a series of construction jobs before finally going to flight school in his late 20's - working his way up the long ladder to work in the fledgling airline industry as a pilot. He still takes on construction projects to make ends meet because there's not enough work for a lot of pilots since 9/11.
While not the most popular girl at boarding school, I was not unpopular by a long stretch. I promptly went to University and then started work immediately after completing my degree. I turned out OK - a few bumps in the road during young adulthood, but pretty well.
I do feel I have a fair amount of social grace and am pretty well educated. I read a lot. I do a lot of crossword puzzles, I cook well, I enjoy art and culture and take my commitment to friends, work, my dog and especially family very seriously indeed. I think I have a pretty strong presence when I walk in to a room. I have a strong confidence, but I don't think it's overpowering.
My brother is different. He's certainly a bit rough around the edges and in order to make up for his slight height, he has developed a hugely overpowering presence and ego to match. He's picked up this lovely, Maryland/Virginia coastal accent - from years of boating up and down the Potomac with his river-rat friends - mostly pilots and plumbers from Olney, MD and/or Annandale, VA. He drives a massive black, Ford Pick-Up truck, has a Camaro, a Harley and of course a big cabin cruiser boat - with plenty of space for Budweiser coolers. There's more...but I think you get the picture.
I know I'm no Emily Post, but he's about as classy as a tube-top at Daytona Beach racetrack. He's so totally different than I. And that's fine - but we don't work well together. We need to figure out a way to do this though - and soon.
My brother and I don't speak much and usually have no problems - mostly because we never talk about anything important - ever. I'm defnitely more analytical, concerned and cautious when it comes to family issues. I plan ahead and look forward and double check things- make sure all are in agreement - ...he's non engaging, non communicative, not involved. He's a crisis guy. He's a 'Don't call unless it's an emergency' guy. And he's fantastic in an emergency - no doubt about it. A 1. The problem is - life's not always an emergency - but it's often urgent and needy.
Since my father's illness and subsequent paassing at the end of last year, my brother and I have been as polarised as ever. Especially now. No matter what - he wants to disagree with me and the rest of the family.
I got a rare e-mail from him a while back which illustrates how he feels about me. My brother doesn't like to write much. He was trying to tell me I was overbearing and haughty in a way. (Of course I am) He was trying to tell me I was 'high and mighty' - instead he wrote 'High and Almighty'. Though they're pretty close, it struck me as really funny! I Don't know why I laughed for 10 minutes. I know what he meant - but I had to think - Did he really think that I see myself as the Almighty? Does he think of me as the Almighty? Did he just mean 'high and mighty' and make a mistake? I'll never know!!
Praise tha' lord Almighty !!
I'll take Almighty for €500 please Alex :-))
posted by Brussels Confidential @ 2:40 PM
<< Home