Big Brother

Many years have passed since this picture was made. It still makes me smile to see Karen's tiny hand held inside her brother's bigger one.

When Karen grew to be a busy toddler, she was often in trouble for going into Tony's unguarded room and disturbing his belongings. The lectures he delivered were fun to watch.

Tony, looking down at Karen, said, "Karen, have you been in my room again?"

Karen, looking up at Tony, nodded her head and popped a comforting thumb in her mouth.

"Didn't I tell you to stay out of my room?"

Thumb-sucking and head-nodding picked up tempo.

"I found grape jelly on my guitar today, Karen. Did you touch my guitar?"

Removing thumb from mouth, Karen stepped forward, wrapped both arms tight around Tony's legs and leaned her golden curls against his knees.

The battle was won.

Tony never had a chance.