My youngest brother, Peter, was born on 24th May 1966. I remember the day he was born as though it was yesterday.
At about 4.30 in the afternoon Mum decided it was time to go to the hospital. Dad was a builder, so could not be contacted at work. Mum had a bell which she was to ring from our balcony, so our neighbour, George, would come to take her to the hospital. It had been a bit of a joke for some time.
The bell was not needed. Dad came home and took Mum to nearby Southport hospital. He dropped her off at the front door, quite normal at the time, and drove home in about 15 minutes.
As he was walking up the stairs the phone rang and my younger brother, Robert, answered it. He has quite a deep voice for an 11year old and the nurse said, “Mr Kolkka you have a son.” Robert replied, “No, I have a brother.”
The three of us were piled into the car and off we went to see our new brother. I was 13 and the only one of us allowed into the maternity ward. The other two had to stand at the window and look in at Mum and wave.
I was one of the first people to see Pete, who was just an hour old. He was held up by a nurse from inside the nursery. He was a big baby and a bit bruised from his birth, but he soon grew to be a beautiful baby.
Pete was a surprise addition to our family. Once we all got over the shock, and he was born, we all loved him to bits and wondered what we did without him. While he could be naughty, he looked like an angel and could be hilarious and sweet natured.
Mum was 35 and Dad was 39 when he was born. They were considered to be quite old to be having a baby. Times have changed.
I am in Italy and don’t have any baby photos, but here is one of the four of us when he was about four. He had been practicing smiles all morning, but refused to offer any to the photographer when he arrived. We look like 2/3 of the Brady Bunch.
Pete was an early talker. I remember the boy next door to us saying…”You know, your brother, he speaks just like a human being.”
He had a few sayings that have been adopted by the rest of us. He called his toe nails his foot finger nails and he would claim to have a headache in his tummy.
Mum sent him off to work with Dad sometimes to get a short break. His time on a building site meant that he swore like a trouper at an early age. This came as a shock to some.
Because of his early talking and excellent memory, we thought he would be a genius. He is. He can build things, he can fix anything, he can do anything he puts his mind to, just like Dad could. He wanted to make a wallet, so he did and it looks just like one from the shops. He recovered his leather lounge and it looks like new. He has now moved on to cutting gemstones and making jewellery.
The tales of Pete’s mischief are legendary and mostly for family consumption. Here is an early example of what was to come.
Dad took Pete to what was to be his first day at kindergarten. He said goodbye and drove around the corner in time to see Pete climb over the back fence and run across the park behind the kindergarten. Dad scooped him up, took him home and kindy was put on hold for a while. I can still hear Dad laughing as he told the tale.
I have now known my brother for 60 years. I am happy that I was old enough when he was born to know and understand and love him from the start. I am very happy to have him in my life. It also helped when I had my son only 7 years later. I knew something of what to expect.
He and my son are more like brothers than uncle and nephew, but Pete is still called Uncly Pete from time to time. They are great mates.
Pete took on responsibility to pass on some of his knowkedge and expertise to his nephew. I overheard a lesson on the noble art of burping one day when my son was about three. Pete was a master in the art. After lots of practicing Brando caught on and Pete was heard to say “You’re learning son.” Brando has gone on to be a true star in the field, surpassing his uncle.
It is good that Pete, and his exceptionally wonderful partner, Annabel, live nearby.
Happy birthday Peter. I hope you have lots more!
