1. God

2. My older brother Andrew who turned 50 yesterday

3. He has three children 5 and under, including a newborn

4. He has always insisted on his own way, that may be changing

5. He got as far away as possible, well maybe not as possible, but another continent

6. We built roadways together with blocks, Matchbox cars and elaborate scenarios, but these would have to be taken down when Mrs. Johnson came to clean the house, bless her

7. He made our “TV shows” better with his irreverence and knowledge of the world

8. Spoke French for us in Paris

9. A beloved uncle

10. Introduced me to wonderful poets such as Cid Corman and Louis Zukofsky and musicians such as George Brassens (he translated for me on one car ride home,) not to mention Charlie Parker and Miles Davis

11.  “Mothers of America, let your kids go to the movies!” And so we did.  Lots of times, sometimes, when we were teenagers I would be told, get in the car, and off we went

12. The phone calls when I was hospitalized

13. On the wedding day, I got to the church and realized I’d forgotten the rings (you should have seen the withering look Cassie gave me.) However, Andrew was there by my side saying “this [marriage] is a good thing,” and he helped me through a humiliating situation. (He didn’t know he was supposed to give a toast; I remember all of us with our glasses downstairs and Cassie saying “All right Andrew, this is your moment.”  Don’t remember what he said but I know it was just great.)

14. Compassion for each other and acceptance of one another

15. I could go on and on