My Irish Twin
On the occasion of your 60th birthday, 2021
You came into the world 377 days ahead of me, we’re exactly twelve months and twelve days apart. That makes us Irish Twins (yes, it does), and you’ve always been close to my heart.
As young kids we looked similar, both with blue eyes and you a bit bigger. People would say, “Oh, what a nice pair of twins.” Mom gave up explaining, just smiled and said, “Thank you.”
We always played well together, you with your G.I. Joe, me with my Barbie. Played ‘house’ with Pete; he was the baby. You weren’t interested in rough-housing with Danny and Will. You preferred to play and learn things that required some skill.
We ran around outside with the other neighbourhood kids. We played all day in the park or swam in the pool. One time you ran into a goalpost and knocked yourself out, I thought you had died. I remember running — screaming — back to the house, terrified!
You started making models of war planes, and later, won ribbons in modelling contests. You played chess and became interested in watching birds. Your friends came over for long board games of Risk. In high school, we were a mixed doubles team in tennis. Would you believe that we won our division?!
Great holidays we spent through the years as kids, cottage vacations in Prince Edward Island and Mont Ste Marie. We walked the dog and watched TV after school: Get Smart, Hogan’s Heroes, Gilligan’s Island, Bugs Bunny and The Flintstones but our favourite was Star Trek; lifelong sci-fi fans we became.
We got our teeth fixed at the same time; misery loves company. You came up with funny nicknames for people and teachers at school: Noodlenick, Spidey, d’Artagnan, LL Beaner and Chuckles the Ass Clown. Always making groaner puns, but you’re quick with the one-liners, I’ll give you that one.
You joined the Air Cadets because you wanted to fly. At 16, went to Junior Leaders summer camp. At 17, were accepted by scholarship to flight school, worked hard and earned your wings. Mom and I saw you land one of your first solo flights, indeed it was a thrill!
With discipline we both studied hard and got good marks in school. Graduated with University degrees; you first as a Mechanical Engineer, got your P.Eng designation and have had a successful career. Mom and Dad were SO proud, it’s hard to describe. Education was important and we clearly thrived.
You followed in Dad’s footsteps as Editor of an engineering newsletter. I did too, doing freelance editing and joining the federal government. Like mom, you took up painting plus photography and making photobooks. I am more of a ham; I like to sing and perform, it is creativity expressed in different forms.
Skiing, golfing, skating, cars and good wine are things we’ve enjoyed all our lives. Becoming proficient in French and cheering for the Montreal Canadiens. You met your wife through a ski club, joining it was wise! Mom and Dad were thrilled when you got married and had a son. Being Scorpios, we’re loyal to spouses and long-time friends.
We’ve always been on the same wavelength; planning, building assets and making good choices. Once in awhile, making a mistake then next time, catching a break. We never had patience for eejits, quitters, freeloaders or fools. Research, analysis and overthinking are some of our tools.
We’re the family memory, recalling our history and stories. Celebrating family milestones and supporting our parents. Vacationing with our children together in P.E.I. and Quebec. As we get older we’ll cherish these moments; it’s great having an Irish Twin and knowing he has your back.
Love you, Doug. We don’t say it enough. Wishing you good health and happiness on your 60th and all the days of your life!
As the Irish Blessing says,
May the sun always shine on your windowpane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the road rise to meet you and the wind be always at your back.
Love,
Your sister XO
- Names have been changed
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