my brother

The only brother, born smack dab in the middle of four willful sisters, last Tuesday our Tyler turned 32.

When we all were in Cedar City this summer, one of our afternoons was spent fishing.  Tyler's skills were uncanny.  Most of us sat with untugged lines.  Not him.  Tyler was reeling something in each time I turned around, and calling for one of his littles (or anyone else's really) to claim the glory. 

with his boys: 

Wesley's catch                Wyatt's catch                 Noah T.'s catch

This is the Tyler I remember...the one who shared my "friend sassies", paved G.I. Joe roads for my Barbie's, and let his bossy big sister be the ever-coveted "Firestarter".  Ah, those were the days:

HUGE smile...it's crazy just how much you look like your own boys!

Tyler is an avid outdoorsman, an ept fix-it man, a tease of a husband to his Gina, an involved dad of FOUR boys, and a brother who allowed me to "hike" in heels without giving too much grief.    But, at my mom's house today I was reminded of what I love most about him.  He has this silly, lighthearted exterior, but there are profound depths under that surface.  Cyn had just found this photo that Tyler sent home during his mission. 

The words he wrote on the back:

"As I sit on the bus and ponder the mysteries of life, my mind reflects on the song 'If Tomorrow Never Comes'.  I have been away from home for twenty months.  I often wonder if the ones I love know how much I love, then a bomb of memories explodes in my mind, flashes of events whiz by like lightning riding the clouds.  The effects of the bomb are the currents of the feelings felt for my family buzzing through the circuits of my brain.  Feelings of love, joy, closeness, laughter, hard times, growth, forgiveness, mercy, protection.  The currents fade.  But the feelings are embroidered by the one who makes the eternities together possible - our brother and saviour Jesus the Christ."

I love you, Tyler.  And I hope you still take time to pen your thoughts so that your four sweet little men will catch glimpses of your inner depths often as they grow older. 

Happy 32nd Birthday!
I'm glad you're close behind me...even if you still manage to look 18!
May the sassies be with you. 

Comments

[Kelly]

Oh, lovely words about your Tyler! And lovely words from him, as well.

And he does still look 18. I suppose the shock will be the day when he doesn't. It's somehow so comforting that he looks like the Tyler Sunchero of yore.

[Megan]

I love this. And I'm almost crying with what Tyler wrote. Wonderful thoughts on his and your part. He's always been so talented with words, I have a few poems of his stashed away.

[lelly]

the gift of words is huge in your family! what an amazing birthday post - and to think *he* wrote it many years ago. happy birthday to your tyler!

[Barb]

That was cool. He writes like you.

[Susan]

That was beautiful, but unlike Megan, I was crying. I blame it on the hormones.

[mandy]

Happy birthday to your Tyler. I love what he wrote on the back of that picture. Profound indeed.

[Elizabeth]

You do share a gift for words.

Have you read his Agony and the Ecstasy? Loved that one.

[Amy]

Yes, Elizabeth! I loved The Agony and the Ecstasy. He also wrote one about Abigail Adams which was very interesting. I'm sure you'd like it as well.

[Tiffany]

Happy Birthday to Tyler! Thanks for sharing the beautiful thoughts.

[Mandi]

Okay, apparently Lelly hasn't read my blog because I DEFINITELY don't have a way with words like you and Tyler. I loved your pictures - wasn't he a little cutie! As I was looking for pictures to post last week, I found some of Tyler's writing as well and it was nice to remember how much he used to write and, like you, I hope he continues to do so.