“What, me worry?” This is the motto of one Alfred E.
Neuman. He is the darling cover boy of Mad Magazine. Although I am unsure as to
whether or not Alfred has graced the cover of every issue, his prominent face
did grace the room of my brother on San Miguel.
Last week as I glanced
upon the magazine racks in the bookstore, Alfred’s tooth, or lack thereof,
caught my line of sight. It was 20 years since I had last looked at this
publication. While I was saturating my intellect by circling the hidden
pictures in the Highlights magazine, my brother was absorbed in the creativity
and wit of Mad Magazine. While I was on my own continuing education track of
watching another episode of Gilligan’s Island, my brother was building
MacGyver-like electronic devices while watching Star Trek, all before MacGyver
televisionally existed.
I could go on and talk
about my brother forever. He has a most gifted brain, and yet he also admires
and appreciates the depth of creativity and humor of others.
Then I feel guilty. I
have not been the brother to him that I have needed to be. I have not shared
with him enough of his talent and giftedness that I should.
I personally never felt
any type of sibling rivalry with my brother. I never felt that I was in a human
competition with him in any way. We had the typical arguments, the typical
brouhaha now and then. But nothing of mortal combat proportions. My brother is
a good guy. I believe, very misunderstood, for a very long time.
You got a brother?
How is your relationship
with him?
What was a turning point
in your relationship with him?
Nothing to worry about,
but just things to think about.