Happy Birthday Uncle Joe

A Brother Named Joe

When you grow up and everyone should.
How can it be any better than
To share your childhood
With a brother named Joe? Brown eyed and round faced with
The kindest of eyes, he was always there
In our family circle of two daughters and son.
Someone to talk to, share and grow.
What could be better
Than to have a brother named Joe?
Each December would see him
The birthday boy, for three days before
Christmas was a party just for him,
And like a big sister, we wore the saddest of faces,
When the presents and games were just for Joe.

He raised pigeons, drank his milk with Sheriff John,
Threw snowballs for the camera, let Dad
Teach him how steam engines power and go.
We bathed in the kitchen tub when we were so small
Swam at the beach, rolled down the hill at Whittier’s Penn Park
Strummed our ukeles at Rosewood School
Played in the gullies and dug in yard.
He grew up and rode planes high in the sky
Traveling all over the world giving his all.

His best pals were Janet and Jim.
He made our life fun and even when
It wasn’t always so, it was good to have
A brother named Joe.

This is the year he will be sixty-plus
But you never hear him make much of a fuss.
He he’s got Joanne, Rox and Ryan, who treat him as king
And fill his life with love and keep him on the wing.
And to add to his cheer,
Lots of nieces and nephews who can’t possible forget
A hero and friend, dear Uncle Joe.