Brotherly Love

I saw this scene recently at the Riverbanks Zoo and it absolutely melted my heart.

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Of course it gave me all kinds of warm, fuzzy feelings about family and love and protection and compassion. And when I began thinking about Flashback Fridays, I started going through my old journals and saw a recurring theme that reminded me of the penguins. Laced through all my journals is the common thread of Patti loving on her little brother.
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In '89 I wrote, "Tommy is very easy-going and Patti is very determined, a little leader. When they're in a bind, Patti takes care of Tommy with so much love! She'll put her arm around him and pat his back and say kind, encouraging words."
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However. There was one time I remember she didn't take such good care of him. In '94 we were packing lunches for us to take on a day trip. Patti's job was to pour drinks into the thermoses and pack them. As she finished up, she stuck a little note in Tommy's lunch box. "Oh, how cute!!" I thought, "She's writing a love note to Tommy like I sometimes do for her."
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I never did look at the note and we headed out the door. At the appointed time, the children heaved their lunchboxes on a picnic table and began to unpack their food. I saw the note and scooted closer to take a peek.
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"Tommy," It began, "Try not to swallow the pink thing floating in your drink. Love, Patti."