My little brother

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!!!

There are a lot of things that I could say about how much fun I've had with you as a brother and a friend.  I have more memories with you than with any of the other siblings.  I have always looked up to you and wanted to be more like you.  Looking at who I am today, I notice little things that I do that are what I saw you do and I wanted to be like you because you were cool.

                          

Anyway, I need to respond to the things that you wrote in my birthday message.  

I do remember always getting the worst jewels when we played legos and my guy always dying in the sandbox, but I remember more that I did have jewels and even though my guy died all the time, I was still able to be there.  I'm glad I got you back with "DINOSAUR".

Our treehouse was awesome!  I still wish that we would have been able to sleep up there.  The first level was great.  I wanted to stay off of the sixth level though because it was getting shaky.  It was cool how fast we could get around that tree (and most of us got around without falling out of it).  I remember the rope swing and the Tarzan movie we always planned to make.  I remember our zipline with the mattress at the bottom.  I was glad we survived rappelling with a harness made out of a hose.  I do remember that you worked on the bum often, but I never really knew what to do with it so I stayed busy with other things.  Those were good times.  

We made up a lot of fun games.  I remember that we wrestled to see who could get the other person off the bed first.  I always wanted to win, but I think your determination to stay the "big brother" helped you through. There were those times when we listened to the 1812 Overture and made up the story about the hero and the monster.  It's cool to think that we could share our imagination and love of music.  

High School was fun, but it was then that I realized that I needed to make my own friends too, and yes, I did realize that you and your friends were a little weird, but I liked the weirdness.  Driving to school wouldn't be the same without the Aquabats and Five Iron Frenzy.  I'm glad that we shared the experiences of "Get in the Car", "I need a girlfriend", and "Do you have any Brittney Spears?"  I was also enjoyable to sit in the back seat leaning forward so that I could get fresh air out of the open front window in the middle of the winter. 

I always enjoyed getting letters from you while we were on our missions.  Those four years lasted a long time, but you were a great example.  I remember the great advice that you gave me when we talked on Mothers Day and Christmas.  It was always fun to know that I would be going out on a mission too.

 

I remember that you sent quite a few letters while I was in the MTC.  I've read some of those letters again and now more than ever I realize the love that you had for me and that we were close even though we wouldn't see each other for so long.

After our missions it was fun to be your brother again.  We were all grown up.  I remember how special it was to be able to take our violins on pioneer trek and play together.

I always tried to catch up to you on the violin.  I think you were the one who made me want to continue and do well the most.  

We won't talk about the times that we had to try and sing together.  

I could go on, but I'll have to stop because I don't think this could ever end.  

It's been great to be your brother!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Adam

Geoff: The Man, The Myth . . . No, just the man

I wanted to write you a poem today,
But I'm not making very much headway.
My brain is mush, I cannot think.
I don't want your birthday poem to stink.
But it's not about me, today's about you;
You have a strange fascination with poo.
You have so many talents, where do I start?
You even know how to play Mozart.
You're pretty great at the violin.
When I hear you, it makes me grin.
It's a lot of fun playing softball with you,
You're fast and quick and other stuff, too.
It's great to see you every week.
You have a really good physique.
You ran a marathon one time.
If you ask me, that should be a crime.
But what do I know? I hate to run.
It feels worse than walking on the sun.
What I like about you is you're really funny.
But I'd probably never call you honey.
That's a job for your wife, and speaking of that
You make a great husband and you also begat
Some kids, and then you became a great dad.
You should probably think about wearing more plaid.
My rhyming is getting worse and worse
And it started out bad, although not perverse.
I wish I lived a bit closer to you,
I like to see you and your family too.
I'm glad you're my brother and my friend.
And, thank goodness, this is the end.

To My Geoffrey Brother

So, you're getting kind of old now.  Sometimes it still amazes me that you're a grown-up... a husband... a daddy.  You were such a cute little guy, and now you're all grown up.  When did that happen?  Even though it makes me a little sad sometimes, I've really enjoyed seeing how well you've done.  You're a loving dad and a kind husband, and always and forever a peacemaker.

I guess I should say that I'm sorry I dressed you up in girl clothes, but you turned out okay, so I'm not going to worry about it anymore.  Thanks for being a fun little brother and wanting to hang around your mean bossy older sister.  One of my favorite memories is you and Adam coming with me to Seminary Council sacrament meetings and singing "I wonder when He comes again".  I was SO proud of you.

You are so talented.  I could be jealous that you are a better violinist than I am, but I just think it's cool.  I think you're amazing, and I know you've put a lot of hard work into your music... plus, you're just amazingly talented.

I also think you have a pretty funny sense of humor.  It's always fun to be around you when you're being silly... you're different from anyone else I know, and that's a good thing.  I like Geoffrey.  :)

I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you always remember that you have so many people who love you and think you're the bee's knees, including me.

To Death

Deffy,

I hope you have a good birthday today.  You're a good brother.  I'm glad that I get to spend time with you playing softball.  I'm glad that you've been able to play with us every year.  I like having you on the team.  You try your best every game, you never complain, and you give me blood. 

I have good memories of playing Hoop-It-Up with you for so many years.  We never did very well, but it was fun to try.  We are always the little guys taking on the big guys, even when we signed up for the under six-foot league.  It was also fun playing in the other basketball league.  We definitely didn't do well in that, but it was fun anyway.  My favorite game was the one where you got mad at the ref with me.  That made me happy.  You always play tough when you play basketball.  I could usually score against people that are around six feet or shorter pretty easily, but you always guarded me tough.  It was often a lot harder to score on you than on much taller people.  I remember one time you blocked my shot a couple of times in a game.  I wasn't even mad.

I miss playing golf like we used to too.  Golfing is fun.  We are golfers.  We should golf more.  Maybe when I get done with school next year. 

So, I don't know if you realize this, but you are the only sibling that I always got along with while we were growing up.  I fought with Mindy lots first, then Brenda later, and I teased Adam a lot and made him cry.  I liked having you around, especially because you would do anything I said.  You were my little slave for quite a long time.  You seemed to enjoy it too, so I don't think I should feel bad about it.  Even after you were too old to be my slave, I still liked hanging out with you.  It was fun going to a couple of concerts too.  Remember how mad Dad was when I took you to Tool with me?  You still turned out ok though.

You're a good man Gee-off.  You have many good qualities that I admire.  You're patient, even-tempered, you don't say bad things about people, and you don't complain.  All qualities that I lack.  I always wish that I was a better big brother, and that I was a better example.  I'm glad that you went on a mission even though I didn't.  I'm glad that you graduated from college even though I quit.  Obviously you didn't need me to show you what you should do.  Good job.  Happy birthday.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEOFFREY DEAR

I hope you have a happy birthday today. Geoff. You were such a joy to have as a little baby. You didn't cry much, and would snuggle against me when you were sleepy. I loved being your mom. You were always a good boy growing up. You always told the truth, and always let me know where you were. You were very sensitive, and always wanted things to be fair and right.

You were certainly talented on the violin. During the year you were six, you progressed from the Minuets in Book 1 to the Seitz concertos in Book 4. You were a very hard worker, and practiced until you got the hard stuff. We learned later that you had perfect pitch.

I could say so many good things about you, but it would take all night. So I just want to say that I have been so proud of you for being the person you are. You have accomplished much in your life, from being an accomplished violin player, to being Sterling Scholar, to going on a mission, to being a righteous Priesthood holder, to graduating from college, to being a good husband and father to your family.

You are a man of few words; but I can think of many words that discribe you. You are kind and caring, understanding and tolerant, thoughtful, generous, loving, honest, loyal, and valiant. Thanks for caring about me, for helping me when times are hard, for all your hugs. I love you.

Love, Mom

Happy Birthday Geoff

Geoff,

I hope that you have a very happy birthday. You have brought a lot of joy to our home and I am glad that you are my son. I appreciate all that you do for me and all that you help me with. It has been fun to watch you play sports and play your violin. You have such an ability to make wonderful music on the violin and play with such heart. I remember when you were young and was always willing to do fun things no matter what it was you would try. I am glad that you are going to run the Wasatch Back with us even though you have run it before and know what it is like. I appreciate your willingness to be on our team. You are such a wonderful husband to Felicia and a father to your boys, Allston and Jake. It is such a reward to see how you react with all of them. Thanks so much for all that you help me with and your help to everyone in the family, you are always so willing to help others and so concerned. Again thanks for being such an example and for being my son.

Dad