A Brother's Gifts

My big brother, Bob, I called him.

Not just because he was 14 years older, but at six-foot-three and over 200 pounds, he truly was my big brother. We were inseparable.

Just before my eighth birthday, Bob was drafted into the Army and deployed to Korea. The night he left, he slung a duffel bag over his shoulder and grabbed his guitar case. “When I come back I’ll teach you how to play,” he promised. Then Bob was gone.

Days turned into months. Christmas Eve came, and it wasn’t the same without my big brother. Mom took me aside. “There’s something for you in the living room,” she said.

There, beside the tree, stood the coolest bike on earth! A green-and-white Western Flyer. “Merry Christmas, little brother,” the note read. “I’ll see you soon. Love, Bob.”

Boy, did I wear out that bike waiting for his return! But with every trip down the street and around the block, I was that much closer to seeing my big brother again.

The next December, Bob was home! Christmas Day, he handed me an oddly shaped package—a student model guitar. Just like he promised, he spent hours teaching me to play. Years later, when I formed my own band, my big brother became my biggest fan. And I was his.

We lost Bob to cancer when he was just 57. Christmastime was especially hard. Then my wife, Janet, had an idea—a holiday benefit in Bob’s memory. We could use the proceeds to buy bikes for children who couldn’t afford one. We rounded up the family band to perform, featuring Bob’s son, Bobby, on electric bass.

Our “Bikes for Tykes” concert sold out! To date we’ve donated almost 200 bikes, and I have a feeling this year, our third, will be a smash too.

It’s the perfect way to honor Bob and two of the greatest gifts he gave me—a love of music, and the hope he put in my heart with that shiny new bike.

Each Christmas I smile, imagining the children’s excited faces. In my prayers, I thank God. Then, I send a special message to Bob: Merry Christmas, big brother, I’ll see you when I get home.

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This story was featured in our special issue, The Joys of Christmas 2009. We'd like to thank each and every one of you who ordered one. We're now sold out! Be sure to look out for more special promotions and editions to make sure you place your order!