David Kasloski
Posted Jan 03, 2021
at 01:33pm
There was a time when my prevailing perception was that I had an older brother who acted toward me in a way that made me feel like I had two Dads. Trouble is, back then I thought that was nothing but bad news. Probably the last thing the average teenager wants is anything that interferes with his/her pursuit of happiness. And to most teenagers, happiness = freedom. Freedom to do as they please.
Ernie was not "most teenagers" though. He embraced the rules. It seemed to come natural to him. Even as a kid, he worked to promote 'law and order.' He turned age 16 in 1969, so consider also the turbulent nature of that era. You could literally count on one hand the number of students in our high school who did not use any prohibited intoxicants, including alcohol. He was surrounded by age peers who did, and very much stood out because of it. Yet he still got along well with everyone.
He and his best friend at the time were among that tiny percentage of abstainers in our very rural district. He never grew his hair long or wore T-shirts that celebrated rebellion, except for the one that spawned the birth of our nation in 1776. He openly listened to Johnny Cash and George Jones music at a time while pretty much 95% of his generation rocked out with The Rolling Stones and The Who. The only advert money any merchandiser might get out of Ernie would be in regard to some sporting team's fanwear, for example a Dodgers' cap or T-shirt. I cannot recall Ernie ever putting on any fake exterior for anyone for any reason. He was both genuine and generous.
For some years, to me that 'two Dads' approach felt very irritating very often...probably because I broke rules very often. A recommendation for remaining young-at-heart is not a promotion of immaturity. It is supposed to be a celebration of the value of being open-minded when it comes to investigating new ideas. Childlike is not the same as childish. In life, there is the whole 'responsibility' aspect to consider too. For example, somebody needs to get, and to keep a job however appealing it may seem to remain a perpetual teenager on permanent vacation.
Eventually I grew up enough to realize that he had been contributing a measure of maturity to fill in for the measure that I lacked at various times. These days, I feel blessed that I was ever gifted with such loving support. THAT is "Brotherly Love." That is something the entire planet would be better off to have more of. For as far back as I have memories of my older brother Ernest, I have memories of him looking out for my well-being. And Melissa, Christopher and Kimberly, I hope you all can appreciate my contribution of being there for your Dad in order for him to get an early start on practicing parenting skills development as soon as possible. Look how the three of you turned out! Not to mention the wonderful grandchildren.
From: Love always and forever from brother David Kasloski
