Happy Birthday Big Brother!

My brother is almost two years older than me--to the day. From Thursday to yesterday, I was fifty-four years old, and he only fifty-five, one year apart (at least, on paper...). 

Today, he becomes "officially" two years older.

Like the way it's supposed to be.

The "two-years apart" thing was never planned, not by anyone in this world. Both of us were adopted, and both times, my parents didn't know they were getting either of us until after we were born. Things were much different in the 1960s. So, us having almost the identical birthdays was a fluke--maybe fate had something to do with it.

Because I was "placed" in my family, I look at things a little differently. My parents, my siblings--everything could have been different--things could have ended up completely different. But, they ended up the way they did and continue to end up the way they are. It's life.

I could not have asked for a better example in my life. I've had friends who had brothers and, growing up, they nearly killed each other...literally. I remember my brother and I got into tussles, but nothing serious. Once I figured out he could kick my butt, I backed off. It wasn't worth it.

My brother was always good at pretty much everything he tried. He was an excellent artist, singer, "popular high school guy"--you name it. I just tried keeping up. And now, that we're old men, he continues to be an excellent example for me and my kids. 

Today's his birthday. Love you, brother! Hope it was great.

It Took Me A While...But I Think I Might Have Figured It Out

This morning my wife and I found ourselves on the campus of Brigham Young University, or BYU to almost everyone. Of the University of Utah, Utah State University, Brigham Young University, and Weber State University, BYU is the only institute of higher education I have not attended as a student.

But, I have been on the campus a number of times. I even attended church there once. This morning we were there to support my brother who, as of today, shall forever be known as Bishop Taylor. Congrats, bro!!

This took place in the Jesse Knight Building, or the JKB to almost everyone. I don't know how many other universities that use their regular classrooms and school buildings for church. We were escorted into a small room with comfortable chairs and tables. Something caught my attention. Each table had a small section at the front of the table that folded down. I tested them--the panels folded down to a ninety degree angle, then back again.

At first, I thought the tables might have some educational purpose, like a table in a science class made specifically for scientific experiments. But the room was not set up for anything technical, at least, as far as I could tell. 

Why did the tables have these adjustments? What purpose could they possibly have?

Then, a thought.

What if they were there as a way to block something?

What if they were there as a modesty panel?

Okay, I could be way off base here, but I thought they might be used to assist a teacher or someone standing in front of the class. If that's the reason for the panels, then there you go. If not, well...I'm at a loss.

Anyway, it made me think as I sat in a school/church room on a university campus this morning.