My big brother, Michael "Jabber" Jablonski

My only brother and big brother was a committed brother, son, dad and husband.

On July 18, 1975, I was born in Lancaster, PA, and it was that same day that my brother, Michael, became my big brother. While at first he did not like me because he wanted a little brother, within time, he grew very fond of me and began teaching me the finer things in life. Growing up with Michael was one of the greatest things I have experienced. We spent most of our time together growing up. We went on numerous bike rides. We played whiffle ball even though our games ended by one of us quitting and calling the other a cheater. We played basketball outside on our driveway while mom constantly yelled out the window, " Michael Louis, quit hitting the garage door with the basketball!" We played football together in our backyard. While I demanded to play tackle football, he would say, "No, Elizabeth, you might get hurt." Michael babysat me while my sister, mom, and dad were at work in the summertime, even though that consisted of me being bribed into doing all his chores while he was outside playing with friends. These are just a few of the many things we did together as siblings.

Michael was instrumental in molding me into the person I am today. He gave me such strength and motivation to be the best person possible and of course to be a great sister to him. I always wanted to be like Mike, just like the slogan says. When I was in junior high, I would always tell him that I wanted to work with him and follow in his footsteps and drive a dump truck or hold that stop and slow sign. I always insisted that I can run with the big boys, and that I needed to show him what a real woman can do out there. But the always caring and concerned brother, Michael would always say, "No, it is dangerous out there and you might get hurt and I do not want to see my little sister in pain." He was always supportive and always watching out for my best interests. When I turned 22 and was going to fly by myself to Florida to visit a friend, it was my brother trying to convince my parents to not let me go because he was afraid something would happen to me. Two years ago when I bought a Mustang, it was Michael saying I should not drive that kind of car because it is too dangerous. During the harsh wintry snow conditions, Michael would call me to tell me not to go to work because the road conditions were treacherous. If I even said I was thinking about going to work, he would get upset and irritated with me saying, "Please do not go, it is dangerous out there." These are a few examples of how concerned my brother was for my safety and well being and how great a brother he was.

From the time he got married till just the other day, we talked everyday when he would call the house. We would talk about sports, his kids, and his work. I am sure my entire family would agree to this description of my brother as a committed person. Just ask my dad. My brother, from the time he got married and onward, would never let a day pass without checking in on my mom, dad, and me to make sure we were all doing okay. Every time the phone rang at our house, I could sense if it was my brother or not. My brother had a real special bond with us and never wanted to lose the close-knit relationship he had. He may have driven us crazy at times by his non-stop phone calls. Every time the lead would change in a football game, Michael would call us to tell us what happened in the game even though we were watching the same game. I looked forward each night to learning what was new in Mike’s life. He always made life interesting.

His commitment crossed over to his relationship with my mom and dad. To them he was always trying to be helpful and did everything a son should do. When Michael was growing up, my mom never had to worry about Mike eating his vegetables like the rest of us kids. One thing Michael never complained about was the food on the table. If it was food, Michael ate it. He was very grateful for my mom’s cooking. When he was old enough to start mowing the lawn, he took it upon himself to take over this household chore to take the pressure off of my dad. He was even generous enough to mow a few of our elderly neighbors’ lawns once a week. And guess what -- yep, come snow time, there he was using his shovel to not only shovel our driveway, but the driveways of our elderly neighbors as well. He was always around to lend a helping hand in his younger years as well as his older years.

My dad and brother were best friends. My dad and brother talked at least once a night up until this past Sunday, which would be the last day Mike called our house. It was approximately 9:45 pm. He called after he got back from the camper to talk about the plans for Tiffany’s 5^th birthday party and also to say he would be coming over to my parents’ house after work to mow the lawn. He was always worried about my parents and would come over to mow the lawn once a week and to help out with any other chores that needed done. As my parents always said, he thought of others before he thought of himself. He was so unselfish and was a blessing to everyone.

Michael was very dedicated to his job at PENNDOT as well. I used to pass him frequently when he was working, and I was always proud of my big brother. I was confident driving on the roads he was fixing. I knew if my brother was working on the roads that they were definitely a safe place to be. To show his dedication to his job, this past year when that one big snow storm in February missed us, Mike was so concerned about being unable to get to work that he bought a snowmobile that would take him to his truck when it came time to plow the snow, or should I say, what snow, as I razzed him the next day.

His commitment not only was evident in his life as a brother, son, and worker, but with his wife and two little children. I remember when Mike got married to Tara in June of 1992. From the day they got married, I knew that if any couple could make it that it would be Mike and Tara. From that day on, they did everything together. They had a special bond that many couples in this day and age do not have. Not only were they lovers and husband and wife, but they were each other’s best friend. They were always there for one another during the bad times and the good times and always lent each other a shoulder to lean on during those times. Marriage gave Mike the life he longed for. He always wanted to have a loving wife and great kids, and it was important to him to keep every promise he made. Two of the greatest days that Mike would experience were the birth of his two children, Tiffany Marie on May 2^nd 1996 and Derek Allen on July 16^th 1998. These two kids brought such happiness to his life. He was always there for his kids to make them laugh, to play with them, to care for them when they were sick, and to teach them all the important things in life like the ABC’s and 123’s. You could see in Derek’s and Tiffany’s face the smile they had when they were with their dad. These kids looked up to Mike and they both knew how much their daddy loved them. He would have done anything and everything for them. Mike always talked about Little Derek being a running back and for Tiffany to play softball and basketball. Just for you, Mike, I will see to it that you will still have your little star running back, Derek Allen Jablonski.

While he may not be here anymore, especially to see his children grow up, go to school, graduate, get married, and have children of their own, there is one thing that I promise to Michael for all he has done for me, my mom and dad, my sister, his wife, and his kids. I will help out in any way to make sure that his wife and his kids get taken care of in the way he would want. Michael, you have nothing to worry about because I will keep up the good tradition and values you have instilled in your children, and your loving wife will do a wonderful job in raising your superstar children. I love you with all my heart and you will always be in my thoughts and my prayers every day for the rest of my life.

The next time you pass a sign that says Slow Down My Mommy Works Here or Slow Down My Daddy Works Here, please do what the sign says and slow down.

I love you forever.

Love, Your Little Sister,
Elizabeth

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