December 12, 1939 my parents had a wonderful surprise. In those days you just didn’t know — and so they didn’t know — that they were expecting not one, but two sons. Twins. Wonderful brothers, handsome teenagers popular with the girls, which had a bit of a coattail effect for me. Just a little. ( I figured out I needed to make my own way in that world.)
Wonderful husbands, fathers, brothers. I want them around forever so I can prove that their “little” brother can actually make something of himself.
Of course, we will always remember the day Ron got off the subway in downtown Boston to find Doug’s summertime girlfriend on the platform. “Doug!” she said, in shock and jubilation. “No….Ron,” said Ron. She was crestfallen.
Or, was it really Doug, just saying he was Ron. I’m vague on that part of the story.
At any rate, there was a good reason that sweet girl would be surprise to see Doug in Boston that day. He’d told her he was leaving town for astronaut training. Actually, he had to go back to the seminary.
Ron has some good stories, too. I’m sure we’ll hear them someday.
Happy birthday, guys.
19 Cent Notebook 