My brother Jim (Jamie as we in the family affectionately called him) passed in August 2024. Why would I ask why so serious you may be thinking? Well, because he was a fun loving guy and as kids we had fun together andI have many pictures to prove it. Everyone that had the privilege to know him said he was always funny and had a joke to tell. He loved Andy Griffith and could mimic many of the characters on the show.

Don’t get me wrong, he could also be a pill if you catch my drift. There was no shortage of sibling rivalry in our house. He was 16 months older than me and yet I questioned his maturity all the time. But that was Jamie, all the time cracking a joke picking on someone and always laughing it seemed. Even in our later years together, he would be silly on texts. I loved his childlike attitude and now I realize I could use more childlikeness in my own life.

I can’t say I actually remember this happening but my mom insisted it was true and at some subconscious level I think I can recall it. Jamie loved me dearly as his first born sibling and baby sister, but he would sneak into the room where I was a pinch me and take my ‘binky’ as I was told. He was always a tease and jokester as I said earlier but my little self only knew it as mean and he made me cry often doing that. But in our teenage years, I must have been in touch with that memory and would give him a good swift kick in his shins when he teased me. I was able to defend and protect myself at that point.

Don’t get me wrong, we were siblings and a fond memory I have is one of when we were 4 and 5 years old, he would hold my hand as we would walk down to the neighbors to visit them, an older couple I have written about previously in another blog. They were the Bobbitts. Sweet Mae and Walter Bobbitt. We went there often probably to get the goodies Ms Mae would always have ready for us and Mom let us go by ourselves because I had my big brother taking care of me. Such sweet memories.

Jamie had a way of entertaining everyone around him, me included. That’s why I asked in the title, Why so serious? We couldn’t be around him. As I prepare to write my memoirs, He is the catalyst for me since his death rocked my world as well as my younger siblings. But he will always bring a smile to my face regardless.

Let’s take time to be silly, even in the dark moments we need laughter. Having lost my Mom a year before Jamie, I had to do some deep reflection to recall the fun times with her as well. I know they are together now and more than likely laughing at Jamie’s silly jokes still. Have fun in this life and help others see the bright side of life. You may just enjoy yourself more.