TRIBUTE TO HOWARD EARL WISER
Howard Earl Wiser. He is my brother. The oldest of a family with 7 kids, he was the only son of an only son. So when he left this earth, he took with him his fathers name leaving no heirs to carry our name forward for the generations to know where they came from. Being the oldest and only son, there were many tough expectations put upon him at a very young age. I know if they were both here today, my Dad would say," I wish I had not been so tough on him" and "I wish I had hugged him more". But, although they were always so far apart in life, they are together in death. And I know in my heart that they stand hand in hand at the gates of heaven to meet all the family that follows them.
Howard was a loving brother who gave me 17 years of hugs and kisses. He was my "Binkie" when I was scared at night, as I was afraid of the dark. He would let me crawl into his bed and snuggle me in his arms till I fell asleep. He walked me to school, walked me home from school and when he went to work, I sat on the curb until he got off to walk me home. He ran me home after the movie "The Birds" let out and I was afraid the birds would eat our brains! He taught me to drive on the back roads of Liberty, Texas while sitting on his lap. And therefore it was imperative that I learn how to fix cars when they broke. He taught me how to make mud men so we could have mud men wars. He taught me how to plant and grow a garden. How to toast a marshmallow just right and shoot fireworks without getting burnt and He taught me how to shoot a squirrel out of a tree. He taught me to ride a bicycle and how to fall without breaking anything. Although he broke my sister Edith's foot while carrying her on his bicycle, I think it was her fault! He taught me how to aim a slingshot under the house while chasing dogs and giving your other sister a birthmark right between the eyes. He also taught me bravery with the ice pick wars in the dining room! What?! He was my coach when we were in training for the "front yard tree Olympics" and showed me the best way to climb a tree, after we named them (Jackie, Penny and Bow-Wow). He taught me how to love unconditionally and left a hole in my heart the size of Texas when he left us.
He joined The Marines at the age of 18 and spent 3 years in Viet Nam loosing many of his friends and fellow Marines to the horrors of war, only to loose his own trying to avoid a deer one night going home after work. I am totally convinced that he came from 2 tours in Viet Nam with PTSD! He was very skittish, worried, uneasy. I would have to open the bedroom door and throw a shoe at him to wake him up safely. He could not find a job that would match his personality . . . He was too proud to ask for help, and so turned to alcohol and cigarettes. He did marry, but had no kids of his own. Although in his 27 years on earth he never had the pleasure of finding his soul mate or true love, He will always be mine. And I looked for that feeling of love and security until I met my Bill. He had big shoes to fill, but has never let me down.
I Love You Brother and miss you Every day. ?#?alwaysinmyheart?
Happy Birthday Bubba . . . .
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