Today's post has nothing to do with cozy mysteries, nothing to do with reading. This is a sad, selfish post that I needed to write for me. I'm telling you this so you can click out now if you don't want to read my self-indulgent ramblings.

Today I want to wish my brother, 

Larry Maxwell Kelley, a Happy Birthday. 

Larry would have been 65 today.

Larry passed away June 1, 2016 of brain cancer.

I had the honor to be one of his caregivers during that time. I was with him the day he passed, as were my other siblings. 

Before I go on, Larry would hate that I was posting this. He'd be mad I was sharing his business, and would not at all be happy with how hard I'm crying as I write this. He would tell me to stop. 

Sorry Larry. 

In his element.

Larry and my friend Michelle. It was always a fun time when Michelle and Larry were together. The things those two would talk about! Larry cutting Michelle's hair the first time they meant was how I came to be friends with Michelle. She needed as asst. manager where she worked, Larry told her about me, and the rest as they say was history.

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Larry was a hairstylist. A great hairstylist. He was the only person to cut my hair since I was around 15. He tried sooner, but I went to a lady hairdresser, because what teenage girl wants her brother loose on her head with a pair of scissors?! I no reason to be concerned. He always made me look and feel great. Even through my curly perm days when I would call him at 7am crying because I looked like a poodle. He was always patient and would have me come to his house to get the mess I made under control. Like magic, he had it looking great. In the six years since Larry has been gone, I have had my hair cut 3 times. He would think that was stupid. But what can I say, I'm spoiled.

About 8o% of Larry's cliental were elderly. They were called his Blue Hair group. He always had them laughing. At Larry's service, the isles of the chapel, no lie, were lined with walkers in every shape, color, and size. It was hard for his Blue Hairs to get around, but they made it out that day to show their love and say goodbye one last time.

Larry loved two places more than anywhere else.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

We always vacationed there as kids. My sister worked at a place called The Gladstone Inn when she was a teen, so my family started staying there. Eventually my mom would be the manage and my younger sister worked with her. Then I worked the with Mom. Daddy and all the siblings would come down anytime they wanted during the summer, and stay. I call it my second home. 

Though it had changed hands some years before, Larry, just a few years before he pasted, had started staying there again on his vacations. He'd rent the front apartment.

The Gladstone Inn. 

Larry rented the apartment on the far left front.

During the end of July, Larry loved going to the Delaware State Fair.

The Fair is actually running right now, so no doubt he would have been down there tonight to celebrate his birthday with his main reason for attending . . . a sausage, onion and pepper sandwich. 

I haven't even scratched the surface of who Larry was. He loved his family, he loved his work, he loved God, he loved and was loyal to his friends. Oh, and he loved stopping at yard sales. Everyone who met Larry loved him. He was always good for a story and a joke. 

Last but very far from least, Larry was my brother (I mostly called him Bother, and he mostly called me Sister instead of out names), and I loved him. I still love him, and I will never stop missing him. 

 90's us