He's A Man Of His Word

Decades ago my brother, Tom Walker, landed a part in a college play.  It was his first foray into acting and as far as I know his last.  On opening night I gave him the standard theatrical oxymoronic blessing.  "Break a leg," I said with great enthusiasm and genuine pride.  My brother was in a play!  Tom, looking lost and confused, took several long moments to respond.  "Okay."  I didn't question his response.  Perhaps I should have and then explained that superstition dictated no one ever wish an actor good luck before a performance and thus the directive to break a leg.  I didn't, though, and now so many years later he did.  My brother recently really did break a leg.  We have always throughout our lives tried to follow through on requests made by the other.  He said "Okay" and never one to shirk a responsibility or fail to keep his word, my brother broke his leg.  He was briefly hospitalized and is now in rehab learning to hop on on foot waiting for the swelling to go down so the leg can be put in a cast of some sort.  Tom, who never could figure out how to skip, is becoming a hopping expert.  My brother has never broken a promise to me and for that I'm so proud of him.  He said "Okay" and even though it took him quite awhile to get around to it, he did finally come through.  He'll soon be back in action writing and blogging.  For now, though, he'll just keep hopping along.  I love you, Tom.