My sister is fourteen years older than me.
When I was a child, she would never answer any of my questions.
Instead, she would say, "Let's find out."
She'd take out our father's huge dictionary, or one of her college texts, or some other book based on the question, and she would teach me how to find an answer.
When I asked about animals, she took me the 2 hour trip to the zoo.
When I asked about dinosaurs, an equally long trip to the museum.
She gave me a gift, and I brag of it often. She taught me to be fascinated, to be awed, and to learn, always to learn. She taught me to question answers to find deeper answers. And she never, ever tired.
I've said a thousand times that my love of things in this world is owed in great measure to my sister. I would venture to say that all of these silly titles and strange and pointless captions I write with these photos is in some way rooted here too. Blame her.
This whale, in The Museum of Natural History in NYC, stunned a 5 year old me into speechlessness, and naturally a new quest to learn everything I could about them and their kind started. Karen, of course, supplied the path for that too.
The first time I laid eyes on this whale, I held the hand of my sister, so this photo is for her. That whale is always a reminder.
Many years later, my children held my hand as they, too, were stunned silent on our own "Let's find out" trip. These are the things of great, and measurable, value.
I never tell my sister all she's done for me.
16 responses
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Susan Littlefield gave props (6 Aug 2009):
Beautiful and poignant, Kevin; everyone should be so fortunate. What a beautiful gift!
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Dawn Duffield (Deleted) gave props (6 Aug 2009):
That does it! Tomorrow I make an I love Karen t-shirt!
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Ron LaFond gave props (6 Aug 2009):
It's a beautiful tribute, Kevin. And I want one of those t-shitts, Dawn. It will be a great reminder for me to respond to questions to with "let's find out." R
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David Ramirez gave props (6 Aug 2009):
Great capture, touching story!
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Camille Javal gave props (6 Aug 2009):
Make a t-shirt order tally at three. It's so wonderful Kevin!
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Yasmina Baggili gave props (7 Aug 2009):
A wonderful tribute to your sister...and a lovely shot
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Martin Hoffman gave props (7 Aug 2009):
Beautiful Picture and you are lucky to have someone like that in your life. I want a T-shirt and to go back in time so I could go on those trips too. Coelacanth.
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Alexis Gerard gave props (7 Aug 2009):
I hope she reads this.
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Ted Opderbeck gave props (7 Aug 2009):
Great story. That whale and its room was assembled by one of our best friend's fathers who was a curator at the museum in the 60's - 80's. In fact for awhile he named the whale "Leslie" after his daughter. Your sister sounds like an awesome person.
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Lisa Starling gave props (7 Aug 2009):
How fortunate you are to have such a special sister and such wonderful memories! I love the story as well as the photo. Great work!
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Regenia Brabham gave props (12 Aug 2009):
This is a fantastic tribute! I don't think she could have given you a better gift. Great shot!!
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Tim Foltz gave props (14 Aug 2009):
Kevin, touching tribute to your sister, I'm sure she is proud of you and your photographic skills.
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Angelo Narciso gave props (18 Aug 2009):
this tribute is absolutely beautiful! wow!
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Rob Case gave props (21 Aug 2009):
WOW Kevin....it CAN'T get any better or be said any better than this. What a perfect tribute to your sister and what a perfect road map for ALL of us to follow.
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Laurie McCormick said (23 Aug 2009):
Very touching story Kevin. It would be a better place in this world if we all took the time to tell those that have touched our lives in some way, how they have added value to our path in life.. Oh, and the picture is great as well.
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Pradeep Reddy Raamana gave props (16 Nov 2009):
gr8 gift... and very touching.. inspired me to follow that approach
