Marla and I are super excited to celebrate my brother Gary’s very BIG birthday at our home next month! He is coming from Hawaii with my nephew Kekoa. We are all very stoked about it! Of course, it would be great to have a birthday party on the Big Island…but this will be really super fun. His last visit to Colorado was twenty two years ago. In this post we’ll travel from present to childhood on an amazing family journey. The image above is quintessential Gary…smiling, loving the ocean, and in his Hawaii groove.

Kekoa, Gary, Marla and our daughter Lisa on the Big Island in 2020.

Gary makes his signature garlic bread and Kekoa works on prepping Opah for our dinner. Everything was fabulous!

While at our Kolea rental house in 2020 Gary serenaded us with a tune from Radiohead, a fav of mine as well!

Marla and Gary in 2019 at one of our very favorite places on this planet…Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden north of Hilo.

Dinner in Kailua Kona.

A little 2018 exploring.

We took our Mom to the Oakland hills in 2016. This was one of her favorite places!

Dinner in Walnut Creek in 2016.

This is such a sweet image of our granddaughter, Lauren, holding Gary’s hand as they explored his garden in Hawaii in 2016.

Gary made a surprise trip to visit Mom in California in 2015.

Lunch with our Mom at Scoma’s in Sausalito…happiness.

On a 2013 trip at Gary’s house, he broke into a little “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith. All the grandchildren loved it!

Gary joined us in 2012 at our friends, Alex and Chris’s home in Walnut Creek.

In 2012 Marla and I hosted a birthday party for my Mom and nephew Steve who travelled from Edinburgh, Scotland. “The Three Bothers From China” restaurant was our go-to place for big family gatherings over the years in Pleasant Hill.

A fond 2012 memory of Gary, Lisa, and our Mom at one of our family’s favorite places, Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas.

A 2012 shot of breakfast at our Mom’s home in Pleasant Hill. She often served linguica sausage when we had breakfast with her.

Gary’s daughters Elan and Marlena live in New York City.

In 2009 we rented a house on Hilo Bay. Our niece Suzanne and her husband Chris from the Island of Guernsey joined us as well. Love this memory!

A happy moment.

I took this shot of Gary long ago while hiking up on Mount Tantalus near Honolulu on Oahu.

Gary on a trip to Marin County with the family.

Gary going a little native near Pahoa, Hawaii waaay back in the past. He moved to Hawaii in his late teens and found his special place.

Gary, second from the left channeling a little David Crosby with his Koa Band in 1978.

In the backyard with our Dad.

I’m fishing with my brother.

School photos of Gary.

A sweet shot of Gary in his rabbit outfit.

Mom with her little baby Gary.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.