I Remember

I Remember, Big Brother

I remember you when
I wrapped my arms around your neck
and you swung us down from the tree
We both screamed outrageously
as we plummeted down to the ground
laughing as we fell into the leaves

We were far from rich
living way out in the country
we couldn't afford
the luxury of amusement parks
So instead you made us one
way out in the woods

All nine of us took turns
The older brothers scaring
the younger kids
but showing us the time of our lives
and doing it as a family
All together

All nine of us stuck together
as we investigated the forest
our own amusement park
never once did we think of danger
our protection walked by our side
Our big brother

I remember you when
you rode me on your bike
I sat on the handlebars
and you took the corner
laying the bike so near the ground
scaring me, but making me laugh

We were far from rich
living in that small town
we couldn't afford
the luxury of of our own bikes
So instead you made us one
that we shared and rode together

All nine of us took turns
riding through the streets
the younger kids
riding on the handlebars
the older boys scaring us
And we did it All together

We investigated the new town
as a large family
It became our new amusement park
never once did we think of danger
our protection walked by our side
Our big brother

I remember you when
you drove your Mustang at a high speed
with me sitting in the backseat
And Mom in the front seat
holding onto the door knob
And we laughed because you laughed

We were far from rich
growing up together
and spreading our wings
and moving again,
but this time out on our own
beginning our new lives

All nine of us took turns
moving away from Mom and Dad
the younger kids
waited until our turn
with you lecturing us
Wanting to protect us from the reality of life

We investigated our new lives
creating our own families
Life became our amusement park
Never once did we think of danger
Our protection was close by our side
Our big brother

I remember you when
you carried you kids around
and bragged about how they made you laugh
you pretended to be happy
refusing to let anyone know
the truth behind the laugh

We were far from rich
but we were raising our kids
with more than we had ever known
we thought they had it all
except they didn't have the you
that I had known my whole life

All nine of us took turns
raising our children as best that we could
you worked and worked
leaving little time to take care of yourself
and refusing to allow your family
to know the true pain you felt

Like many families who get older
we grew further and further apart
you didn't reach out to us
even though there were nine of us in all
Never once did I know of your anguish
Until you ended your own pain
My big brother