He would have been 62 today. I would have called him with a happy birthday wish, sent him wishes through texts containing balloons, cakes, and confetti. If he had been in town, we would have seen each other and celebrated his special day – most likely with some Stewart hot dogs and strawberry shortcake. But, for the past 13 years, those wishes and celebrations have changed to a day(s) of remembering.
Actually, there’s not a day I don’t remember him, but on this day, I celebrate him and all the years we shared and the memories we made. He was my very first birthday present, seriously, a real, live baby doll. Yes, you read it correctly, My mother delivered him the day before my first birthday. As far back as I can remember, Joe was there to play with or to pester. As we grew older, he was there to protect me and help me when troubles or problems arose. Even in the years where life brought changes and miles of distance between us, our bond of being only 364 days apart held us tight.
Life has not been and will never be the same without him. There is a notable sorrow that fills the hole his absence has left behind. God is gracious to cover the hole with peace and even joyfilled memories but my world and life are a lonelier place without him in it. I miss his infectious smile and laughter, I miss him annoying me, and tomorrow morning I will miss his more than annoying 12 a.m. wake-up call to tell me happy birthday, with the explicit reminder that I am his older sister.
Me From the Inside Out 
All these years I just now am remembering your birthday – I didn’t realize he was so close in age !
My prayer for you is that you can remember the happy times and the good times !
He loves you ! Love doesn’t die people do!
Happy birthday my sweet friend!