I will forever miss you, Wes. You were an important part of my life, and I have many fond memories of our childhood, and as we got older. We grew up poor, but we had a lot of special memories. Remember when all of us built that HUGE igloo out back on Keswick Road when we had a really bad snow storm? Or the many Christmases that Mom and Dad always managed for us with very little money? As you got older, you helped Mom and Dad provide for us. How about our Thanksgivings at Grandma Poole’s house where all the kids (us) were lined up on the stairs with our dinner plates, while the adults ate at the dining table and then we would all play cards. How about all those memories at Uncle Stanley’s when we would go fishing, crabbing swimming, and when Mom and Uncle T would sing at the local bar? Fun times…great memories.
As the oldest brother, it was your job to pick on your younger sisters. And you took it in stride! One of my memories was when I was very young and had to go to the bathroom, sooo badly. But when I started up the stairs, you told me a ghost was up there hiding in the attic waiting for me. I was too afraid to go up the steps and started crying. You always told me I was adopted, and I believed it after hearing it so much, and with your “evidence” that there were no baby pictures. I even made up a new last name for myself. You were Mom’s first born and although parents aren’t supposed to have favorites, you were the apple of her eye. You could get away with anything with her! You even had a way of getting your baby sisters to see things your way. Somehow you managed to talk me into going on a motorcycle ride with you. To this day, I still don’t know how. But you drove us around Snake Road, and I was so scared because that road was exactly its name. Thanks to you, that was my first motorcycle ride, and my last!
I loved when we all got together and ate crabs, had cookouts, family reunions, played horse shoes, cards, talked and laughed. How about the time we went to Atlantic City, the spur of the moment, late at night? Even though we lost, we had a great time. You always gave me advice, whether I wanted it or not, LOL, I may not have taken your advice, most likely I didn’t, but I always listened with a smile.
I know you know how much I love you and how much I will miss you. I love you, respect you, and I’m happy that you are no longer in pain and suffering. You are in good hands with Mom, Dad, Rick, Mike, your buddy, Joe, and the rest of our family in heaven. I love you. Wes. Ride your motorcycle, and let your voice soar.
Love your sister, Pat