From left to right, Penny, Marty and me outside his home in Memphis TN back in the early 90s.

Its hard to really get close to a sibling when there is an 8 year age difference.  Marty, my oldest sibling, and oldest of three children in the family, was born on May 15, 1970.  This year will mark him turning 42 years old.  He has three children, and is married to Penny.

Marty is the reason I am an Alabama fan.  He’s one of the reasons I went to Freed Hardeman University.  He’s one of the reasons that I’m a Huey Lewis and the News, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, and Nylons fan.

When I was younger, I thought Marty was one of the coolest people in the world.  He had cool friends, did cool things, and was someone to look up to.  I remember when my brother became a Christian, and even though I wasn’t ready, it made me think hard about my life in Christ.  My brother and I shared a room for about a year in 1985 while my parents built the house they currently live in.

Marty was given a 1957 Chevy to drive when he turned 16.  Our Grandfather Smith found it for him, and Marty drove it like it was the coolest car in the world.  In reality, it was the ugliest thing ever, but I didn’t know that then.  I just thought it was awesome.  If memory serves me correct, it was a 3 speed, had huge dents in it, and I believe Marty tried to fill some of the patches with bondo but never had the money to paint it.

My brother, Marty. Roll Tide!

Marty gave us a scare a few years ago when he was 36.  He has, for the longest time, struggled with sleep apnea.  It finally caught up to him and he had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery.  Thank goodness he made it through that time, and is healthy and living life to its fullest now.  He even rides a scooter now!

For the longest time now, I’ve called my brother a goober, but I mean that in the nicest way possible.  I often think he’s stuck in the 80s, loving his old music.  However, he has a heart of gold, would do anything for you if you asked him, and he finds the simple things in life make him happiest.  To my brother, I wish you a happy birthday.  May God continue to bless you with many more, and may he bless your family as well.