Today is my little Brothers birthday. He is 60 today but he is still my baby brother. I called him this morning as I always do and again told him all about the day he was born. I dug up a picture of him as a baby with big sister standing over him.(See below) I was happy in the picture but I sure as shootin' wasn't happy the day he was born. Nope!! Not happy at all. Daddy took Mama off to the hospital that morning and for the first time I could remember, I didn't get to go. I was madder'n'a'hornet and then some. How dare they go off without me like that. Oh I loved being at Brenda's house but not unless my Mama and Daddy were right next door. Nope, Didn't like this at all.
Daddy came home that night which gave me more cause to be difficult because Mama was not with him. Now what in the world is going on I thought. I asked Daddy where Mama was and he said, "Honey Mama is over at the hospital gettin' you a new little Brother. I'll take you to see Norman tomorrow" Well who the heck Is Norman? I dont wanna see no Norman, I wanna see my Mama. Now I can't remember just how long but I know it was several days before Mama came home. They kept a new Mother a lot longer then, and I was not allowed to go see her.
Next morning Daddy took me to the Hospital and we walked up stairs to an area where there were some windows. Daddy lifted me up and said, "There is your baby brother Norman" . "Well shoot fire Daddy I don't want no brother, lets get Mama and go home" "Baby, your Mama will come home soon and we will bring Norman with us". Well I sure wanted my Mama home but I don't want that thing there in that room. Nosireee! I'll just have to figure out a way to get rid of that thing.
The day Norman was brought home one of my Uncles took us over. Daddy disappeared inside some double doors and came out later. A nurse was pushing my Mama in a wheel chair. I ran to her and slobbered all over her. Tried to get in her lap but everyone said no, that I would hurt her. Daddy said "Look here baby, Here's your new brother". He held the thing in his arms down so I could peek under the blue blanket. "DADDY, Thats the ugliest thing I ever saw in my life, and I dont want it. Take it back in there and lets go". I was almost screaming by now. Norman didn't have a speck of hair. Besides that there were little blue dots all over his nose. (Hey, Thats what I remember! OK?) My Mama (bless her heart) said, "Come here Clydene, You can ride in this chair with me, and sit with me in the car going home. I dont remember how we got out, I do know there was no elevator and we were on the second floor, but we got out with me and my Mama in the wheel chair.
That night at home I was sitting in my little rocking chair with my doll in my lap. I was feeling so sorry for myself. There were lots of people in the room and they were all gathered around that dad-burned baby, even Brenda, the little traitor,. Mama had fed Norman in her bed and she was resting. Thats another thing that was different back then. A new Mother had to stay in bed for 5 days. I think it was 5, not sure about that. Anyway I heard my Auntie say, Oh Norman you look just like your Daddy. Hey now, wait just a minute here, Who is Normans Daddy, maybe he will come and take him home. GOOD!! "Well you've got you a boy Clyde", someone said and thats when I come unhinged. Yep completely un glued. If My daddy was Normans Daddy, just where the heck did that leave me. I mean I just started bellerin' then. I screamed out, "Now Who am I Gonna call Daddy". "You are My daddy, Not his". Mama woke up and got up and came to me, at the same time Daddy came to me. They gathered me in their arms and loved and kissed on me. Everyone in the room had a few tears in their eyes, especially my Mama and Daddy and Me. My wonderful loving Parents held me and talked to me for a long time and I never felt such a warm fuzzy safe feeling in my life. I remember that feeling till this day. I dont remember a word they said, just that feeling of great love. My Brother was brought over and Mama and Daddy helped me hold him, and that warm feeling never went away. Norman was my Pride and joy from then on. I fought his battles, still do if need be. He is different from me. I am firey and fisty. Norman is quiet, gentle, and laid back. Even when he towered over me and was strong and a man, he was still my baby Brother. Still is!! I emailed him this picture this morning, all decorated with my own sentiments. My little Brother is 60 today and I love him much. YEP
