He’s 28. Not so little, huh?
Here’s a picture of Darren from this one time when he did a very bad thing:
*Click on the pics for a better looksee!*
Just kidding. He wasn’t really incarcerated. Although at various points during our childhood I would’ve liked to have locked him up.
Let’s get this straight: my brother is the good child. He’s smart, a very talented musician, kind, patient and hardworking. He’s pretty damn close to perfect. You can see how this could be slightly irritating as the troubled older sister of Little Mr. Perfection, no?
But wait!! It wasn’t always this way! As a young’un, Little Mr. Perfection my baby brother Darren had a tendency to escape from his crib and let himself out of not only his bedroom, but often the house via the front door. This of course terrified my mother who decided to lock him in his room put bells on his door to gently nudge her from her slumber when the wee Houdini tried to bust out @ 4am.
What did he do during his jailbreaks you ask? Well, you didn’t, but I’m gonna tell you anyway. We’ve already talked about him letting himself out onto the front lawn for a little early morning stroll. He also enjoyed dumping full boxes of cheerios (and a carton of milk) directly onto the floor and trying to eat it with salad tongs. Once or twice he peed in a garbage can. He mastered the art of climbing the brick fireplace and perching himself on the mantle, but never quite figured out how to get back down. A few times a week, he’d choose one of his favourite books (usually one entitled “But No Elephants!”) bring it into my room, smack me in the face with said book (remember faithful readers….it’s 4 AM and my 8 year old self is SOUND asleep) and yell, “Jefffffiner!!!!! Read this to meeeee pwwwwease!”
Oh the little demon darling!
And the ironic part of this tale: The birthday boy’s new daughter sleeps straight through the night. Every night. And has since she was 4 weeks old. Clearly she gets her co-operative spirit from her mother.
Soooooo….as the years went on and I beat him into maturity he transformed into a wonderful young man, we became very good friends. He’s a one seriously funny dude, he married a crazy fun fellow radio broad who loves to drink too much wine with me when we’re both unpregnant wonderfully refined lady:
and they have the most adorable child I’ve ever ever seen. Not that I’m biased or anything. Here, see for yourself:
He and his wife Becky also sang at our wedding and gave Todd and I the most precious, memorable gift. I cry every time I watch the video. Which is a lot. Because I’m weird like that.
So the point of all this very flattering baby brother birthday blathering is this;
My brother rocks:
And constant beatings in childhood and good natured ribbings from your older wiser sister actually make you a better person.
Happy Birthday Darren Wayne Campbell. I love you. I am very, very proud to be your twisted sister.
Now, go have some cake and kiss my adorable niece please.
You are so right Jen. Your brother rocks. Happy birthday Darren.
Aunt Cindy
- Cindy Bergey