A golden set of pipe dreams

Georgia: Age 1

Thanksgiving weekend, and this year I'm obliged to tip my hat in thanks for my siblings.

A word,specifically, about Sam:

Sam's got himself a set of pipes. I mean it. He sings all the time. For a while, I thought this was the norm for any kid-brother. Sam's littler than me, so I figured he just had to learn things by singing. You know -- the alphabet, prayers at meals and night, numbers up to twelve. But, upon recently hanging with plenty of younger cousins, I'm realizing that this propensity to sing belongs uniquely to Sam. He sings at the breakfast table. He sings in the bathroom. He sings in the car, the grocery store, the library. He even sings in his sleep. Serious.

Other people notice it, too. A long-long day ago, we went to the Target store -- just me, Sam, Georgia and Dad. And my favorite red-and-khaki-lady-with-the-walkie-talkie approached our cart, looked at Sam and said, "Well, hello! You're not singing today. What seems to be the trouble?" Of course, Sam just smiled sweetly -- having no idea how to tell our favorite Target team member that a stuffy nose makes for some clogged up pipes.

Sam: Age 3

I'm pretty proud of my brother, actually. I mean, flip on the radio, and Sam finds the beat. Start humming "Twinkle, twinkle," and Sam will politely bring you on-pitch -- just by singing along. He marches to the beat of his own drum, that's for sure -- a drum whose shell happens to be beautifully carved, stretched and toned to the rhythm of its owner.

Ken (L) Sam (R)

Yesternight, Sam was finishing his suppertime glass of [insert beverage choice here]. As luck would have it, he attempted to finish the drink too quickly, and half-choked/sputtered the liquid across the table. "Sam, Sam," I said, "did it go down the wrong pipe?" Sam looked at me, sweet, serious, and puzzled. "Ken. I don't have pipes in my mouth."

Yes you do, kid. Yes you do.

Hope your Thanksgiving found you feeling as thankful for your siblings -- be they the family or friend variety -- as I am. Until next time,
Ken