A Tribute to my Twin!

Over the years, I have tried to write this article, but it never made it from my mind to the page. Yesterday, on February 15th, I celebrated my 79th birthday, which pushed me to finally write it. This date is also shared with my twin brother, Timothy Raymond Lind. Few of us remain who remember Tim—only my sister Karen, perhaps a cousin, and I. To keep his memory alive, I am writing this to memorialize him for those who never knew him. Here is his story.This is my story as a twin and my memories of my brother. To honor him, I named my firstborn son Timothy Raymond Lind II. Please remember there were two were born on February 15th. Timmy rests at St. Joseph Cemetery with our parents. I haven’t visited their graves lately, but if anyone is going to Price Hill, maybe we can visit together. Remember, February 15th is our birthday, not just mine.

Tim and I were born as fraternal twins on February 15th, 1946, at home in our grandparents’ house. I had been told my mother was unaware she was carrying twins due to the lack of sonograms in 1946. Tim was smaller and frail but survived for a few years before passing away at age 4 in April 1950. I have some memories of him, though not all are certain. One vivid memory is placing his initial ring on his cold finger as he lay in his coffin, dressed in a white communion suit.

Tim and I had little time together before he passed away. I often think about how our lives might have been if we had grown up together. Would we have shared interests, career paths, or life pursuits? I also wonder how his loss affected my life’s direction and our family’s dynamics. In 1950, there was likely no sibling grief counseling available to me. I still ponder how things could have been different for us and our parents.

Tim is laid to rest alongside my mother and father in the grave site next to an oak tree in the Saint Joseph cemetery in Price Hill. It has been quite some time since I’ve had the opportunity to visit them. Someday before it’s too late I hope to get a chance to go and sit by them one more time. Shouldn’t anybody be going that direction? Feel free to let me know.

In conclusion, it’s interesting that my name, Thomas, means twin, while my brother’s name, Timothy, means “honoring God.” Perhaps his purpose was to honor God and prepare our way.

Happy Birthday, Timmy