The Buckets by Greg Cravens for June 02, 2024

A face only a Mom loves.

My brother, who was older than me by 4 years, one month and 21 days, would frequently punch my shoulder when I passed by, put me in a headlock, or trip me. When I was 13 I got a weightlifting outfit and practiced, and practiced so more. Soon I was able to hoist 120 (and more) pounds, repetitively. My brother did the old headlock trick, I powered my way out, threw him to the ground and sat on his chest, pinning his shoulders with my knees. When I eventually let him up, he proclaimed he was only trying to toughen me up … and crowed that he had succeeded. The bullying stopped that day!

My brother, older by four years, stopped picking on me the day I picked him up and put him in the hedges.

my brother was 2 years older and bullied me until my mom died when I was 14. he lost his audience and the bullying stopped.

I love Eddie’s ability to establish and hold strong boundaries with his brother at such a young age. Good parental support is important, so necessary, especially since people are becoming more and more evil.

Not a meanie, just sly evil.

You should be proud that you already out smarts him.

And you’ll have youth on your side!

I was the youngest and the biggest of 7 boys, and the nicest……