Art imitates life..

..in the most beautiful way..


My brother Larry, who amidst his battles with chemo and radiation, has always remained first and foremost and husband and a father.

The quintessential "big brother" to all of us Sullivan Sisters..Grandpa to a whole herd of little ones..and not so little ones...

But throughout his life...what he is..what he remains, is a cowboy.


And while the medicines and treatment leave him somewhat unsteady on his legs..he spends time daily with his horses.

No longer allowed to ride, he now works them with voice commands. Speaking firmly but with respect and admiration, he commands the round pen.


The horses react to his voice and also his hand commands..."stop..back..turn.."


And, when I saw the photo at the top of the post, and after seeing the painting a friend painted of him..well..it's as if he stood and posed... {which I am most certain he did not...never stands still enough or idle enough for paint to dry}

When we think about cowboys, we may think of dirt and dust and a lack of formal education.

Not so in Larry's case. He may get dirty and dusty, but I can honestly say I have never seen that side of him.

Always dressed in his boots and sharp jeans and pressed shirts, he could have come off the pages of American Cowboy..and don't forget the hat...whether in Chicago, Stroketown or Tucson, he rides tall in the saddle. With his 6' 2" frame, boots and hat, he's a fine site for certain.

Recently retired from the University of Arizona, then on to substitute in the kindergarten of his small community of Arivaca, he has traveled the world, loves to read, is proud to be Irish, makes a mean corned beef and cabbage, an ex-Marine (is there such a thing ? Once a Marine, always a Marine..Semper Fi ...{.Always Faithful} ..) and is the pillar of strength of our family. He loves good wine, good cheese, good Mexican food and his good life...

His quick Irish humor is only second to his great story telling. He can have us mesmerized one minute and laughing and slapping his back the next.

So while they have told him he can no longer drive his pick-up, they said nothing about the tractor...on the 4th of July parade..down the main street in Arivaca..pulling all his adorable grandkiddos..and followed by the "mighty Tomato"..a horse growing old right beside Larry...





And personally, I think all that "spit and vinegar" is just what the Doctor ordered...


"We ride and never worry about the fall I guess that's just the cowboy in us all..." Performed by Tim McGraw.

Larry, just keep ridin' this good, sweet life..we love you. We do.

-us