He ain't heavy, he's just my brother...

I was the fourth and last son born to Russell and Ella Thompson. I have two (much) older brothers and one (47 minutes) older brother.

I grew up not really knowing my oldest brother that well. I remember it being a big deal when he came to visit. I recall my mom and then later Rusty and I with her, cleaning the house frantically so it looked nice for when he came home. I knew he was successful and seemed to have a good life, and I looked up to him for getting out and doing something with his life. I remember my second oldest brother much more because he lived with us for a large part of my childhood. He's a quiet man and I like to credit my love for horror movies to him. Both of my oldest brothers moved away and made a life for themselves, marrying and having children and we really didn't see much of them growing up. Visits for holidays, maybe summer vacation but never as much as my parents, or Rusty and I, would have liked.

It was always interesting because my older brothers were closer in age to some of my aunts and uncles than they were to us, so Rusty and I were like a new start for my parents. I think something my mom said once about sums it up, she once said to me, "I know popular music from when John and Robert were growing up and then from when Rusty and you were growing up but there's a big gap where I don't know much." lol

Rusty, of course, was always my closest brother. I don't remember ever minding that mom sometimes dressed us alike. I'd probably wear matching outfits to this day. I like that I'm a twin, it's part of who I am. I feel a kinship with other twins, which might be a little silly sometimes but when I learn someone is a twin I feel very connected to them.

I'm sure it wasn't always easy for Rusty, growing up with me. I was very introverted and enjoyed being in my room playing with my action figures. He used to beg me to go outside and play. I think no matter what happens in our lives, there's an innate connection between twins. Sometimes I think I know when he's sad or upset.

I was just talking about how we differ and are alike the other day and I think a theatre metaphor works well...I've always said Rusty is the leading man and I'm the character man. Hell, I even played a character named 'the character man' once. I always thought he was confident and outspoken and I was kind of envious of those qualities. I enjoyed watching him in plays, he always did something that surprised me, even as the 6'5" drag queen in "Rocky Horror". He has a magnetic personality. People want to be around him and before they know it they're going along with all of his off the wall plans. He's magnetic and I miss seeing him more than a couple times a year. It's wicked hard sometimes. I through in the Boston thing there at the end. :-D