My brother Sam

He just got back from an extended trip to Hawaii. The last time he saw Ava, she was just a couple of weeks old. So I guess he was gone for over 7 months. I still can't believe how grown up he's gotten. When I think back to when I first learned how to change diapers and take care of a little baby, it's Samuel that comes to mind. He was so cute and funny (and still is). And when he grew his li'l baby teeth, they were so white and round that my sisters and I started to call him Pearl. Sometimes it would be Pearly, so it didn't sound as much like a girl's name- it just drove my Mom crazy. He's 10 years younger than me and towers over everyone in my family- and we're a family of mostly tall people to begin with! Somehow, he managed to be the only boy among 7 sisters, up until a few years ago when our brother Seth was born. Sometimes I can't believe he survived the trauma of it all. When he left, I didn't really say goodbye to him 'cause I thought he would just be back, shortly. He's only 18 and had never been on an airplane before. He went to Cali., with virtually no money to speak of and planned on camping out in the Redwoods. Somehow he ended up in Hawaii a few weeks later and was living on a commune. He's one of the greatest artists I know and such a little hippie kid. He can sell his art on the streets and at the Farmer's Markets, and get along with pretty much anyone he meets. Since this trip, I think he's caught the traveling bug, and I'm sure he'll be on his way to some other awesome destination in no time. But I'm glad that he's back in town and in our lives, again. I love my widdo bwudda!