ForeverMissed
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His Life

A look at Greg's childhood, by Julie.

February 28, 2011

Greg was a middle child between myself, Julie, as the youngest and Denny, the oldest.  He and Denny first lived in Vet's Housing in Oskaloosa, which were low income, small, tin housing units for the veterans of war.  I don't know very much about this part of his life, since I wasn't born yet, but maybe Denny could add something about that.  I just know that Mom and Dad were pretty poor and money was tight, but I don't think Greg or Denny knew any different. 

I was born on the tail end of living there and then Mom and Dad built a new home on Grandma Mitrisin's land, which is the only home I ever knew and where Mom and Dad lived until they died.  Greg must have been pretty ornery as a kid because I remember he was always into something.  He also seemed to be accident prone and sported a cast or band aids quite often.  He taught me how to use the mattress as a trampoline and that the boogey man lived downstairs.  I think that was just meant to keep me upstairs when he lived in the basement. 

Denny and Greg were always in cahoots on things.  I will never forget the van they bought and painted red, white and blue.  It must have been quite the party-mobile.  They brought in the old Jemac bar and put it in the basement and there were lots of parties down there with all of their friends.  I was probably a pest, but Greg put up with me, 

When Greg got a motorcycle, I think that about put Mom over the edge.  I can remember him coming home too late on it and trying to shush Snookie, my little dog, as though the motorcycle hadn't already woke Mom up.  Greg liked to be a risk taker when he was young and I suppose that never really changed.  He took me four wheeling in his jeep with NO doors up and down in the ditches!  Scared me to death!  But I trusted him. 

He also taught me how to dive at Edmundson pool.  Off the low board and then the high board.  I can remember to this day my first time off the high board.  He came up with me and talked me through it.   He was a very good and patient teacher.  He made me feel like I could do anything if I just tried.  Like Dad, he knew just how to explain things, but he also knew how to not make directions as mean sounding as Dad.  ;-)   Greg was an expert diver.  All the girls would ooh and aww over his daredevil "cutaways".   Those are probably illegal now.  Like most toys and stuff we did as kids.  I still have our illegal yard darts!

One time when he was supposed to be watching me at the house, he invited friends over to play football and I was playing on my own on the swingset.  Somehow I managed to hit myself on the head with the wooden swing and cut my head open.  It was bleeding really bad and I know Greg felt awful cuz I had been wanting him to swing with me.  He had to call the ambulance so I could go get stitched up.   And yes, he had to call Mom in off the golf course...again.   It seemed like every time something happened, Mom was golfing in a tournament.  I think that was the case when he tried to play Tarzan and broke his collar bone.  I told you he was a risk taker.

Those are a few highlights that I remember.  He was a great big brother.  I know he always took good care of me and looked out for me.  I never remember not liking him or being mad at him.   I spent quite a bit of time with Greg as a kid, but I don't remember all of it.  I wish I did.  I wish I could remember every detail of every moment.

 

Remembering A Brother

February 28, 2011



Remembering a Brother
Teasing me, tickling me, teaching me, protecting me,
Breaking arms, breaking legs, calling mom home from the tee.
Playing sports, breaking records, making team Captain and MVP,
Working hard, playing hard, helping others it always seemed.
 
From wrestling, football, baseball and track,
To Rolscreen as a manager in corduroy slacks,
Four  wheelers, trucks, shot guns, and bikes,
You gathered friends by the dozens, you were hard to not like.
 
Camping, hunting, bowling and skiing,
Helping mom and dad, and in-laws with anything,
Loving your family, your wife and your kids,
Being their hero; ‘Superman’ they said.
 
I hope that the people who knew you those days,
Treasure a memory about you today.
It’s been Twenty Five years, missing you so,
And I just wanted to say,
That I miss you and love you,
And I remember you lived,
Living your ‘dash’
With all you could give.

By Julie McVay