I'm your big brother Adam, even though it has not always seemed that way when we grew up. We have always been close enough in age to be doing the same things and doing stuff together alot. Also i was not really "bigger" than you for much of my life. I think most of the times in life we were not just brothers at all, but we were friends too. It was fun doing all the stuff we did together. I did sometimes take advantage of being the big brother. I could bully you around if i wanted to, but you still wanted to be around me even though i did sometimes. You were always one of my friends Adam.
So here's a few things for you to remember; me and Luke always get the better jewels when we are playing legos; your guy always has to die when we are flooding the sandbox...sorry you just can't save him, he just has to die. You did have a pretty good bedroom in our treehouse though didn't you? I did make myself two bedrooms and i think your bedroom was next to the "fireplace" wasn't it? Speaking of the tree, you did work on the bum with us didn't you? I sure hope so because you wouldn't have wanted to miss out on that one. Some of the only times you weren't hanging out with me was when i was playing basketball with other friends... even though you sure did give it a try sometimes. We had some good times with "white guy" and the "dragon eaters" and all of the shenanegans that went along with that. Also one of my very most favorite times ever in life was the Adam the bucket my mom told me not to get wet time... that was so good. I just can't believe it worked out so perfectly. I think i could go on more for a long time, but i think you get the idea. It was alot of fun. I'm glad you were one of my friends even though we usually gave you the worst of whatever we were doing. I'm glad you didn't figure out that me and my friends were really weird until near the end of high school, you might not have done things with us so much growing up.
You turned out to be a good guy even with all of us being our weird influence on you. I'm glad you didn't listen to everything we said, we were kind of stupid sometimes. And i'm sorry for kicking you that one time. That probably wasn't really very nice. I know at times you really didn't know if you had a ton of friends, but we were always your friends dude, and you ended up really being the kind of person that so many people like. I am glad you ended up like you did, even though i know at times i didn't really help you to get there. You did good and i'm proud of who you are and how you act. I know you'll get alot of things in your life because of that.
Thanks for being my brother, and for being my friend.
Have a happy birthday eh. I'm around if you ever need anything. I owe you
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Happy Birthday Adam
Hey Adam. I hope you have a great birthday today. I would like to give you a small analysis of your life. As a professional (I took a psychology class once), I feel that this might be beneficial for you. Here it is:
I bet it was hard for you, being the youngest in the family. I don't know if you felt like you got any respect for anything. We all played the violin, and you wanted to play too. You didn't start out as fast as the rest of us at it, so you didn't get a lot of support to play. But you kept playing anyway. We all played sports, did lots of activities, and got good grades. You didn't get to do as much as the rest of us. You also cried very easily. As your big brother, I made sure that I made you cry frequently. I think for a while I made you cry on a daily basis.
I think, because of all of this, that you were determined to be successful in life. You worked very hard practicing the violin for many years. You got very good at it. You worked hard at learning other instruments as well. You worked harder than any of the rest of us in school. You took math classes in high school that I've never even heard of. You have carried that through college. You have had a plan for what you have wanted to do, and you've done it. You will probably be more successful careerwise than the rest of us. Your effort with your education has been very impressive (but I still beat you on the ACT).
You have always wanted to do what is right. You worked very hard to prepare for your mission. You saved your money for it. You studied very hard, and you made sure you were spiritually prepared for it. As a teenager, you never got distracted from your goal to go on a mission. While on your mission, you were determined to be the best missionary you could be. You were 100 percent committed to it. You worked very hard, and loved the people you served. You have carried that committment forward over the years that you have been back.
And of course, you are determined to find a worthy spouse for yourself. It is very impressive to me that you have understood the importance of this since before you started dating. I have tried to teach my daughters the importance of dating people with the same standards as them, only dating in groups while they are young, not dating anyone exclusively until you are ready to think about getting married, and so on. I wish they could be around you more to see your example of this. You have never been interested in any dating situation that doesn't follow the plan you have for yourself. Not many people can say that they have been that disciplined. I know that you've been hurt in this area, and that not everything has worked out the way you planned. You have done things the right way though, and that is important. It will pay off for you.
You have worked so hard in your life to be where you want to be. You have worked so hard to be the best you could possibly be at everything you tried. You have worked so hard at being the best person you could possibly be. I think that this all goes back to what you experienced being the youngest in the family. I think that, as your big brother and frequent tormenter, I played a part in that. By teasing you and making you cry, I helped make you more determined to succeed. You're welcome.
I hope you have found my analysis to be helpful. You are a great person, Adam, and I hope you know that we all feel that. I hope that, when you get done with school, we get to spend more time with you. It has been hard not to be around you much. I know you keep very busy with everything you are doing, and it's hard to juggle everything you want to do.
I admire your committment, Adam. I wish I could be as dedicated as you are. I wish I could be as strong as you. I look up to you, and admire your wisdom. I think you are a good man, and you are a good brother.
Jason
I bet it was hard for you, being the youngest in the family. I don't know if you felt like you got any respect for anything. We all played the violin, and you wanted to play too. You didn't start out as fast as the rest of us at it, so you didn't get a lot of support to play. But you kept playing anyway. We all played sports, did lots of activities, and got good grades. You didn't get to do as much as the rest of us. You also cried very easily. As your big brother, I made sure that I made you cry frequently. I think for a while I made you cry on a daily basis.
I think, because of all of this, that you were determined to be successful in life. You worked very hard practicing the violin for many years. You got very good at it. You worked hard at learning other instruments as well. You worked harder than any of the rest of us in school. You took math classes in high school that I've never even heard of. You have carried that through college. You have had a plan for what you have wanted to do, and you've done it. You will probably be more successful careerwise than the rest of us. Your effort with your education has been very impressive (but I still beat you on the ACT).
You have always wanted to do what is right. You worked very hard to prepare for your mission. You saved your money for it. You studied very hard, and you made sure you were spiritually prepared for it. As a teenager, you never got distracted from your goal to go on a mission. While on your mission, you were determined to be the best missionary you could be. You were 100 percent committed to it. You worked very hard, and loved the people you served. You have carried that committment forward over the years that you have been back.
And of course, you are determined to find a worthy spouse for yourself. It is very impressive to me that you have understood the importance of this since before you started dating. I have tried to teach my daughters the importance of dating people with the same standards as them, only dating in groups while they are young, not dating anyone exclusively until you are ready to think about getting married, and so on. I wish they could be around you more to see your example of this. You have never been interested in any dating situation that doesn't follow the plan you have for yourself. Not many people can say that they have been that disciplined. I know that you've been hurt in this area, and that not everything has worked out the way you planned. You have done things the right way though, and that is important. It will pay off for you.
You have worked so hard in your life to be where you want to be. You have worked so hard to be the best you could possibly be at everything you tried. You have worked so hard at being the best person you could possibly be. I think that this all goes back to what you experienced being the youngest in the family. I think that, as your big brother and frequent tormenter, I played a part in that. By teasing you and making you cry, I helped make you more determined to succeed. You're welcome.
I hope you have found my analysis to be helpful. You are a great person, Adam, and I hope you know that we all feel that. I hope that, when you get done with school, we get to spend more time with you. It has been hard not to be around you much. I know you keep very busy with everything you are doing, and it's hard to juggle everything you want to do.
I admire your committment, Adam. I wish I could be as dedicated as you are. I wish I could be as strong as you. I look up to you, and admire your wisdom. I think you are a good man, and you are a good brother.
Jason
Adam (a poem with words)
It is your birthday, dear Adam
Here is a poem so you won't be glum.
Everyone thinks that you're a great guy
And it's not really very hard to see why.
You've always tried to be extra kind.
You're smarter than 47 pencils combined.
You spend a lot of time in school.
Making robots is pretty cool.
I remember we used to e-mail a lot,
But that was before you became a big-shot.
Okay, you're not, there's just too much to do
I wonder if you have time to shampoo.
Sometimes I wish you weren't so busy.
Your hair is not what I'd call frizzy.
Maybe you could visit more,
Would you if I lived by the shore?
If I baked you cookies, a cake?
Or if I threw a big clambake?
Do you like clams? I don't even know.
If you don't, you'd be a no-show.
So I guess this is it, your present's a poem.
I'm glad we lived in the same home.
You're a great brother in every way.
I hope you have an awesome birthday.
Adam the Baby
It's hard to believe that Adam is a grown up man now. I think I was 10? when Adam was born, and I remember how cute he was. It's weird that he's gotten so much older and I haven't. ;)I had so much fun with Adam growing up. I would dress him and Geoff up in bonnets and girls clothes, and the amazing thing is, they let me, and seemed to have fun too. I refuse to accept any responsibility for problems they may have now because of that. ;) I loved having a little brother that would do whatever silly thing came to my bossy head... I feel a little bad for it now, but at least I spent time with the little whippersnapper, right?
I moved away when Adam was still pretty little, and I didn't really get to see what he was like as a teenager. I always had to laugh, though, when mom would complain to me about how awful Adam was for taking the church cds and not returning them. I think that was probably the worst thing he did as a teenager, and I'm pretty sure he'll burn in hell for it.
My favorite thing about Adam, though, is the quiet strength I've seen in him throughout his life. I sometimes feel like he's older and wiser than I am in some ways, and I really look up to him. He is always a peacemaker. He is always ready to help anyone in need. He is always ready to share his deep love of Christ, the gospel, and his testimony. He is a rock.
I know he gets tired of our constant nagging about his dating life, and what's going on with him, but I am always interested in how things are going for Adam, because I love him. I sometimes feel like we're at such different times in our lives, but then we'll talk about things that we're going through that are exactly the same. I'm always pleased when I find out we're alike in some way, because who wouldn't want to be like Adam?
Happy Birthday, Adam... I'll be forever grateful that you joined the family in the miraculous way that you did. I've never had a doubt that you needed to be with us, to help us all and strengthen us, and bring us joy. You're an amazing brother!!
Monday, February 22, 2010
I Hope You Have A Wonderful Day
Adam, I hope that you have a very good birthday and have a lot of fun. I am so glad that you are my son and that we can do things together. I so much enjoy your company and doing things You have always been willing to help others and have been concerned about them. I have also appreciated your concern for us and how we are doing. It is fun to have you visit.
I have always been impressed with your dedication to the piano and how you practiced often. It was fun to hear the songs that you composed and I enjoy the CD that you made for us.
It was fun when you were on your mission and we were able to email back and forth. I looked forward to your email each week, now I wish I would have answered better. I guess that is how we learn.
It was also fun to listen to you play the violin and how hard you tried to learn the new songs. I miss hearing all of you kids play together with your mom. It was fun to hear you and Geoff play the duets for so many programs and also hear you play in Stake Conference.
I enjoyed attending your graduation from college. You are a wonderful son Adam and I am glad that you are my son.
Love, Dad
I have always been impressed with your dedication to the piano and how you practiced often. It was fun to hear the songs that you composed and I enjoy the CD that you made for us.
It was fun when you were on your mission and we were able to email back and forth. I looked forward to your email each week, now I wish I would have answered better. I guess that is how we learn.
It was also fun to listen to you play the violin and how hard you tried to learn the new songs. I miss hearing all of you kids play together with your mom. It was fun to hear you and Geoff play the duets for so many programs and also hear you play in Stake Conference.
I enjoyed attending your graduation from college. You are a wonderful son Adam and I am glad that you are my son.
Love, Dad
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADAM!
Heavenly Father must have known that we needed another little boy. Adam, you were a miracle, after a very difficult pregnancy. Little did we know at the time what a blessing you would be to us.
As a little boy you were very kind-hearted. You'd often tell me, "You're my favorite mom". And, after my Dad died, you'd ask why I was sad, and I'd say, "I miss my Dad." And you said, "Me, too," even though you were too young to have known him.
The violin did not come so easy for you, and practicing with me was not always fun. When I tried to convince you to give it up, you cried, "But I want to play the violin." Adam, I'm so glad you had the perseverence to keep with it, for you play the violin beautifully.
All your life you have always wanted to do what was right. As you grew up, whatever was good, whatever was right, you were right there involved in it. You were glad to be of service, happy to show kindness, as demonstrated by how kind you were to Jeff Best through the years. I was told that at a Stake Dance you knelt down in front of a girl who had her foot in a cast, and ask her to dance, kneeling as you held her hands. That touched their hearts. I was told that when you were at a Sacrament Meeting at the Heritage Place, the speaker had not shown up, and they ask for volunteers. You volunteered to give a talk with no preparation. The speaker did show up, but you had been willing, and that's what matters. When you did give talks in Church, you always knew how to liken every experience to the Gospel.
We were proud of you when you served a mission for the Lord. We are thankful that you are valiant and worthy to hold positions of great responsibility, and serve in the Temple. We love you very much. Thanks for being mine.
Love, Mom
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