My life story couldn't be properly told without including my older brother Garry. Our paths have intertwined since the day I was born. Family folklore tells of how he tried to poke out my eyes when he first held me when I was tiny. He clearly understood I would always do my very best to steal his thunder. We have had a friendly but fierce rivalry ever since.

Garry, a year and ten days older than me, was always stronger and more capable. He seemingly did everything well and without effort. I always struggled to keep up. As kids, when we built an elaborate soapbox racer or some other creation, I, being smaller, was selected to be the stunt driver, and he provided the power - always at full speed. Our adventures were always a great deal of fun and very exciting, but they didn’t always end well. I have the scars to prove it. :)

Garry also influenced my art career in so many ways. When he was a teenager and painted a window to win first place and the monetary prize, he inspired me to create a sample book and sell Christmas store windows. Garry was the first to start his art career with oil paintings, and his success inspired me to do pen and ink drawings. Our art careers were often parallel (with him slightly in front) in the mural world and on to designing and creating theme parks. We formed separate enterprises, but I always thoroughly enjoyed working alongside him when he invited me to help him on some of his epic projects.

Every kid (and adult) would love a brother so cool and fun! Happy seventy-second birthday to my lifelong hero!