The Best Big Brother
January 29, 2023
by Julie Minor
My big brother, Arland, was 91/2 years old when I was born. Duane was 6. So here I come…JulieAnn, the only sweet little girl in the Waters family. I’m not sure how they felt when I was born…but I have fond memories of the five of us doing many things together. One of the kid’s chores was washing dishes…the boys were always fighting about something, snapping the wet dish towels at each other (and me when I got older). Arland washed dishes, Duane dried and I stood o the counter and put the dishes away. I think we were usually singing and laughing.
When I needed help decorating my bike for the “Recreation” Parade in Hampton, Arland came to my rescue with crepe paper in my wheels and streamers on the handlebars. I had the best bike in the parade.
The “boys” did tease me a lot but we always had fun, lotza music and many many laughs. However, several times, I ran into my room, slammed my door because I was so upset about “something” quite important. But the last time I did slammed the door after some teasing, the ceramic fish that mom so carefully put above the tub…fell and broke. Then, I was the one in trouble but it will always be Arland’s fault.
And our camping trips with the “Hampton Gang” was always fun. I think there were 4-5 families and all the kids who were close to our ages. It was always filled with laughs, bonfires, swimming and skiing. Arland and Dad taught me how to ski on the Greene River. They did, however, forget to tell me to let loose of the ski rope if I fell. I was not happy and the Greene River was not very tasty
Arland was the best older brother you could ever ask for. First he would do anything for me growing up. I even went to the movies with him and his girlfriend and we sat in the balcony. And then, He and Carol would do nothing for me as I grew up and started a family. From offering me a place to live, to always inviting the kids and me for holidays…and of course many invites to Ham Lake. All my friends wanted to be a part of Waters Olympics and a part of our family.
Memories remain. ❤️
When I needed help decorating my bike for the “Recreation” Parade in Hampton, Arland came to my rescue with crepe paper in my wheels and streamers on the handlebars. I had the best bike in the parade.
The “boys” did tease me a lot but we always had fun, lotza music and many many laughs. However, several times, I ran into my room, slammed my door because I was so upset about “something” quite important. But the last time I did slammed the door after some teasing, the ceramic fish that mom so carefully put above the tub…fell and broke. Then, I was the one in trouble but it will always be Arland’s fault.
And our camping trips with the “Hampton Gang” was always fun. I think there were 4-5 families and all the kids who were close to our ages. It was always filled with laughs, bonfires, swimming and skiing. Arland and Dad taught me how to ski on the Greene River. They did, however, forget to tell me to let loose of the ski rope if I fell. I was not happy and the Greene River was not very tasty
Arland was the best older brother you could ever ask for. First he would do anything for me growing up. I even went to the movies with him and his girlfriend and we sat in the balcony. And then, He and Carol would do nothing for me as I grew up and started a family. From offering me a place to live, to always inviting the kids and me for holidays…and of course many invites to Ham Lake. All my friends wanted to be a part of Waters Olympics and a part of our family.
Memories remain. ❤️