Raise your hand if you are a younger sibling. Wait… umm… err… rephrase: Raise your eyebrow if you are a younger sibling. There, that’s better. For those of you that raised… something (like me), you know exactly what I speak of today. You were always the “Little (insert last name).” Always referred to as ” So-and-So’s little brother/sister.” No matter where you went, people already knew who you were. And nine times out of 10, these people would have already formulated opinions on you, based on the person that came before you, right or wrong. Depending on who it was that came before you, these opinions could be positive or negative. Lucky for me, the road ahead of me was paved with love and gold.
We never really did have a normal relationship growing up. For some reason, we never faught. Well, almost never. I still remember our last fight, vividly. I was about six years old, we were riding in the old green Jeep Wagoneer, listening to the radio. She would not stop singing along with the song, I HATED IT. My mom finally told her to stop, but she kept mouthing the words (somehow still running the song in my mind). Boy, was I furious! That monumental battle aside, we always got along.
You could not ask for a cooler older sister. Always the most popular girl in school, absolutely gorgeous, and ever the star athlete. If she ever had enemies, I never heard about it. Everybody loved her. Teachers, coaches, classmates, everyone. She always worked as hard as she could in class, and teachers noticed. That work ethic carried over onto the field as well. Coaches did nothing but sing her praise. And the collective student body adored her. She was a good friend, and an all-around fun girl to be around. A great sense of humor teamed with miles of compassion.
She was three years older, so we were never in the same school after elementary. That meant that once I entered middle school and high school, she had just left. And of course, I was always “Little Salvini.” But hey, I didn’t mind. It opened a lot of doors for me. I was automatically on every teachers’ good side. Anyone that knew my sister, was instantly my friend. It seemed that she had built quite the reputation for the Salvini name, and carrying it on where she left off was not too difficult, I must say.
Of course, there were always a few downsides. I can’t remember how many times I had to hear “Man, Kenny, you are sister is HOTTTT!!!” Oy. And it did it get annoying having to constantly say “no, I won’t set you up with my sister, she’s too good for you.” The feelings were mutual, I guess. She always calls me Brother, and will always think the world of me. I found out later that a few of her friends expressed a little interest in me from time to time, but she would not allow it. No one is good enough for her brother, or ever will be.
Eventually I was finally done high school, and the nicknames slowly faded away (well, some of them), leaving me to become just Kenny. We both grew up, but remain just as intensely as close today. She has grown into an amazing woman, and an even more incredible mother of two of the most beautiful girls on the planet. Her name is Amanda Michelle, but her friends call her Mandy. I call her Mando. Personally, I’ve been called lots of things, but to this day I can say that I’m most proud to be simply…
Mandy’s little brother.
Kenny Salvini 
stopping by to say hello again:) hi kenny!!! hehehelooking to expand your mind? ever listen to classical/jazz? stop by on my space:)
Oh my gosh! You have created monsters! What the hell is going on? I have been reading just not commenting…I guess that makes me rude. So here is me not being rude!PS-no one could have said it better than Dar!
so pride yourself on what you areand hold them all to words they cant take backive seen a place…it comes…to me in dreamswhere fires die but light still shines for us to see
we miss you 🙂 Can you tell?Brandy
Ok. I have NEVER written a comment on any site, anywhere. I started following the fabulous words of Kenny when I saw his space featured. To be honest the first time I had even heard of a "blog" was a couple of months ago when the man that kidnapped 2 Idaho (where I live) children had written about it on a blog. But, I quickly found out it was not just for psycho people 🙂 I along with hundreds of people have fallen in love with Kenny. I find myself each and every morning stopping by to see what he has written next. However.. I am appalled that some have stooped to the level of calling names. Get a grip. Just because Kenny doesn\’t answer your comment?? How bout you spend a day in his shoes?? Maybe he doesn\’t feel like answering comments? Maybe he doesn\’t want to get out of bed? Maybe he is tired of people feeling sorry for him? I don\’t think he asked God to make him paralyzed and lose every ounce of dignity he had. (meaning- Kenny you should describe your day) I don\’t think he asked MSN to make him a super star. So, to those who feel the need to be replied to stop and think about how Kenny is feeling that day. And Kenny for those of us who just LOVE reading, laughing, crying and thinking about the things you write.. KEEP IT UP! ~Looking Vertical~Shari
I agree with Darlene. You don\’t have to comment to anybody you don\’t want to. If they don\’t like it, they don\’t have to come back!See? Problem solved!Here\’s hoping you have a great day!
I dont know what all the comment-discussion is on about here…but I surely know that you are a really impressive person with a wonderful mind and that your space is really unique (so plain, no blinking spectacular pictures, but still so damn interesting, funny and thought-provoking). So would you mind if I add your space to my best-msn-list? Dont worry about commenting back, you get such an awful lot of comments every day, it would be a fultime job to give consideration to everyone. I just assume you are ok with me adding you (if not, well, then…you must comment ;-P)Have a nice day, KennyLoveGen
I\’m an only child…. Oh to have had an older sibling to act as the trail blazer and make my childhood easier. I remember some of my friends who had younger siblings, and it always seems that #2 has it much easier. The parents are more lenient, give them priviledges at an earlier age, and they gain friends by association. Also, when you have siblings you have built-in entertainment. Not me…. I had to be my own entertainment. Needless to say, I developed a very vivid imagination!I\’m glad you have such a wonderful connection with your sister, Kenny. Have a great day!
Hello Kenny.Your sister is perfect!I am the only child in the family. I wish I had a sister like yours. Have a nice day!
Good morning good morning! Rise and shine! Time for breakfast and blogging! Uhh, you can\’t blame me for trying..lol! Well, I hope you\’ll have a good day, and as for me, I\’m going to find something to eat! Cya! *Off to the kitchen*
My thoughts exactly Dar, but I was reluctant to leave another comment (but what am I doing now? hehe). Ya know…it\’s a full moon…that\’s gotta be it 😉
This is about the longest you\’ve gone without any entry! I hope everything is okay with you and yours. Your building us all up with so much withdrawl that we all just might faint with excitment when we finally see a new entry…. :o)
thats so sweet, im the youngestof two children, and my story is quite the same as your\’s, tyrone is unbeleavbly good at everything, my friends have always showed interest in him, and the coches, and teachers adore him, but nobody on this planet wille ver love him and admire him as much as i do. love,peace nad a big toothy smile!casxoxoxox
Smalls…guess I don\’t need to tell you that I am the "Big Sister" in my family…(you already knew that)Maybe that\’s why we bonded…awwwwwwJamie still has nightmares from when he started college and his professors would see the last name (it\’s very unusual) and ask…"Do you have an older sister named Darlene?"He was afraid to answer…because no telling what I may have done….Imagine that!By the way…I am bummed…had the perfect opportunity to use "lickknob" in a sentence and I missed it!Darlene
I really have enjoyed reading your stories. I have commented only on a couple. I am a little sister it seems to almost everyone that I know. Not meaning I am helpless just means everyone else around me like to make sure that no one out there hurts me. Nicknames includeo "Short stack" "Ladybug" and my brother\’s weird version "George Manard McCallister his Stepbrother" Think that he just wanted another brother rather than a sister. That question has not yet been answered. Still a little weird but funny. I actually got the name George when I was about 4 or 5 and one of my cousins friends could never remember my name so I became George and I actually validated it eventually with an answer. Didn\’t think that it would stick this long. (I didn\’t know the actress "Halle Berry" or I would have helped out by saying it that way, that is the only way I can get some people to pronounce it correctly, sad!) I have one older brother and two older boy cousins that I grew up with and I can still tell you word for word all the fun memories that revolve inside and out. Tom boy is hardly touching the truth of me. I was White haired and I had scratches all over my knees and elbows. Always looking for another challenge to prove that I could be a boy just as well as my brother and my cousins. My favorite memory was the fishing dock and being able to catch more fish than them. There is hardly anything like the feeling of the sun beaming hard against the back of your neck screaming to cover up or put some more sunscreen on. Your stories sometimes makes my head spin. Riveting thoughts and anticipation of the changing seasons: hearing the crickets on a warm summer night, the first sighting of lightening bugs, the colors of the trees changing into bright amber, gold, and bright red, and knowing that I can expect each one of those things to reoccur each year. I love your memories, they are a breath of fresh flowers on an unexpected day. Thank you!Kindest Regards,Hallie Pierce
Oh, looks like I missed some drama with the comments section, but only got the reaction not the actual source of -yikes. But actually, was just stopping by to see if you were writing. Love reading your blogs and hope you are doing well. My best to you -patti
hey kenny, i really miss readin u, hope u\’re well…bisous
I know it\’s been said many times before. But I think your site is truly inspirational. You are someone that may not physically be that strong, but your soul, your mind your spirit is something so strong, something that strikes me in your blogs as so passionate that i\’m just speechless. You make me want to be a better person. you do. So thank You. You make me envy and want everything the good things in life, where i had previously and still soemtimes think is just not worth it. Your courage, to be able to be so strong, a weaker person would drown themself in self pity, but u arise out of it. Reading your blog about your ex really moved me. That you could see that in her even after she left… I feel like i\’m wasting air and space and my body because i\’m so so so so so so weak compared to you, I revel in self-pity when my troubles are small. I love reading your blogs. Your make me want to be more. And your wit and passion are wonderful, i feel at home when i read your blogs. so thank you so much. From Your Billioninith Fan, Snowy~
Kenny,Thanks again for sharing your stories with us, and yes it\’s been a week that we don\’t hear from you, but it\’s ok. Just hope things are fine with you. Or maybe you\’re just having down days and are afraid of talking about it again given the strong reactions that we all witnessed the last time you did so. Fair enough. I\’ve been having not a down day, but a whole down week already. And I know how hard it is for other people to understand your feelings and to put themselves in your shoes without judging you. Anyway, so feel free to share whatever you want, whenever you want. As many people have said, it\’s your blog and nobody can tell you what to write about, what not to write about, whether to reply to comments or not, etc…. by the way, I don\’t expect replies to my comments. Don\’t even see why this should have been an excuse for drama. As if my comments were oh! so important to demand a reply. Give me a break…My best wishes for you :)Lu
Hi Kenny,I hope that things are well. You have not had an entry in so long that finally I had to start writing my own stories… I think that you are much better in this stuff though, so I hope that you are going to share some more thoughts with us soon.Ta ta for now!Anita
Hi Kenny,I\’m a new fan of yours myself. I\’ve only posted one comment to tell you how moved I was by your blog. Just to let you know, I check in everyday to see how you are. I\’m the oldest of 3, and the way you speak of your sis has me hook, line, and sinker 🙂 I\’m close w/ both my sisters too, best friends in the world. You\’ve taught me something. When I can\’t get a parking space close to a store on a rainy day, I think of you and I park as far away as I can and don\’t bring an umbrella. I don\’t mind the walk and I don\’t care about the hair and makeup… thank you!!! What you miss about your niece… I close my eyes and try to stop time when my twins are sitting on my lap and snuggling into my neck. More than treasuring the moment, I enjoy the feel of them… their warmth, their hair, their fingers that pinch too hard sometimes, and their new teeth that are quite sharp LOL I hope you\’re well… I\’ll keep checking in.Colleen
hey kenny,been a while since i\’ve been here… you haven\’t been around hope this is just another case of writters block and not anything worse.thinking of you,mt
Hey, I\’m thinking, hmm… well…. oh well, I don\’t know how to ask you, I guess I better not, hehe.. Have a good day Kenny!
Hi kenny !! How are u ?? I hope good ….well I have classes in my work ..( yes classes Im auditor and we must to lear the new methoodlogy …like 100,000 pages …PLOP!!!!!!!! but its good to learn new things ….I have few minutes for read your blog ..and I m happy that you continue writting … take care dear …many kisses since here …Un besito y una abrazito !!!!!Zarelin
saying hi 🙂
Hi Amina
Almost a full week without an entry:-( I\’m missing your writing!:-)
i just found your blog. and I am madly in love with you. 😉
Hey man nice space inspirational at the least aight ttyl
Dude, where you at?! Missin\’ your posts… hope all is going well there! Hugs from KS…Gwen
Still hopeing that you are OK… But now I am very curious.Perhaps you are to buissy to write, so someone else might answer me… I am preatty new at this blog thing… So here is the question:When I go to edit my space, then go to the stats it lookes like you have visited… Or if someone lookes at my space from your space it migh look like you visited… I dunno, becouse there where no comments. And what are trackbacks?Anyways if you visited thanks for stopping by.Once I figure out how to get a guiest book maybe you\’ll leave a track.Please write something new or our heads will explode!!!See ya!Anita
I find it fascinating that people are frustrated by your lack of responses. I remember watching this documentary about John Lennon who would have fans show up at his doorstep absolutely sure that he had written a particular song for them.I think it\’s our desire to make a connection. What I have loved about blogging, and about all of the blogs I have visited, is making "cyberfriends." I have a tight-knit circle of people, all "strangers" who I feel close to now because we all read and respond on each other\’s blogs. Although I would never expect a personal response, especially from a celebrity, I think all this controversy was started by someone who noticed that you didn\’t have a "web presence" on the other blogs. I see some bloggers who respond to many posts, but people wonder why they haven\’t seen that from you.Frankly, I think that the frustration is uncalled for and a little silly, although understandable from the perspective of human nature. People are so moved by you, they want some kind of external validation from you, which will somehow make them more "real" or visible. I\’m just rambling, but as a fellow MSN best spaces winner, and as someone who\’s been reading and responding to tons of blogs, I think the reaction to this space is a unique phenomenon.To Arielscure, if someone goes to your site from Kenny\’s, it shows up on your stats. Doesn\’t mean it was him, necessarily, but he may be a "lurker."All that aside, we all love your space! Keep up the great writing. As I\’ve said before, I hope you\’ll try to publish some of your "essays" in other venues.-Sandy
hey kenny ..just for say have nice dreams !!! I just arrived and the first was sending this message for you !!! Well many besitos !!!!!!!!!! ( kisses !!)take care Zare
Hey Kenny…Just popping in to say hello! Hope you have a good day sunshine! Much Love and Hugs, Kristi
Hi there!..for once I took the time to read some of the comments you´ve recieved!Damn.. I´m stunned!..The girl who implies that you are rude for not writing back!!??In one of my first comments I asked for response from you.. I wasnt´aware of how difficult it is for you to write..But rude!!?? ..absolutly not!..had to say something!I´ve added some new pictures on my space!..if that has any interest!?:)
hey ur amazing…..
I hope you are not ill. I miss your posts. If you are not posting because you are not in a good place, post anyway. Ignore the comments from the people who are "disappointed."
Hope you get to feeling better buddy. Take care!
Hi Kenny,I\’ve been reading your blogs for awhile now, but this is my first comment. I just want you to know that I have been thinking of you and I\’m worried about you. I hope you\’re OK and I\’m looking forward to your next entry. Take care Kenny – be well.Maureen
Hmmm….no new entries…no lurking visits to my blog. Although I wouldn\’t blame you if you gave up on the whole blog thing and disappeared on us…I would still like to know that you\’re okay. And if you\’re not okay…find a way to let us know that too. Kelly
hope all is well, miss reading your stories. Don\’t listen to any of these rude people who feel you owe them something. we write blogs for us, not for the masses.if he had to write to everyone who left him a comment, when would he ever get to write another blog.take care, mary
Hiya Kenny, I hope you\’re doing good today. You know what? Eat some chocolate 🙂 Chocolate is good for your heart! (Hmm.. not that you don\’t have a good heart..) Oh well, cya!
I\’m obsessed. I check out your site almost every other day and I\’m disappointed when there\’s nothing new. Hope everything is going ok.
Have you read Brooke Ellison\’s book about going to Harvard as a vent-dependent quad? A great read. I saw her on tv the other night which got me thinking about Christopher Reeve, worrying about Dana Reeve, and worrying about you.You\’ve opened your heart to so many people. It\’s touching to me to see how many people want to know you\’re ok.
Well, heck, I retract my earlier statements…you\’re doing fine. I should\’ve just looked at Darlene\’s site. I\’ll go back to worrying about other people now. =)Kelly
i smashed my fingers in the safe today at work. it hurt and for like 2 seconds I was mad. And then I was appreciative that I could feel it. Thankyou, for making ungrateful people like me a little more aware. -amanda
Ok, we know you just got your computer back…so now we are waiting on pins and needles…
Hey Kenny, I hope all is well with you…….you are often in my thoughts. The pebble you\’ve thrown into the web community\’s water is having a remarkable ripple -effect…keep pushing the envelope, please!!! You are a much needed breath of fresh life……Thank you.
awe, this was such a sweet and sincere post. i can only hope that my lil bro thinks of me the same way you do your big sis. =0) take care!
So was is the ensure as I said on your message board or did somebody broke it?Anita
163 comments?? wowi just stumbled upon your blog through a friend of a friend of a friend of a….you know how it goes. your story is moving, your writing beautiful, your optimism inspirational. there are not enough people in the world who exude the positiveness that i\’ve gotten only from a few of your posts.be well always.inspired,gracie
hey Kenny. We\’ve all been worried about you and I\’m also hoping that you\’re doing ok. I\’ll be praying for your health and safety.*Meganr*
Hello Kenny. As I read and re-read your blog I am reminded of how exceptional people can be, how just one man, just one moment, just one thought can change a life. Your thoughts are like the pebble that hits the pond, like the butterfly flapping its wings far away causing a gale close to our hearts, like a sunflower opening its petals, like the rain quenching the desert, like the warmth of a fire after a long winter\’s day, like the cherry on top of a Sundae, like a first kiss, like the view from atop a mountain after a 12 hour climb, like the calm of a newborn baby nestled in your arms, like a heavily sunset on a desolate beach. I come to your site often just to catch a glimpse of the passionate; the pure. I hope you don\’t mind but I am in the mood to express my appreciation. I know that you don\’t know me. Maybe you don\’t care to, but thank you for letting me know a little part of who you are.
I\’ve been thinking about you Kenny – I hope all is ok. Take care and hope you update us soon..:)Kelly
hey buddy, haven\’t heard from you in awhile. hope you\’re health is ok. hopefully we\’ll hear from ya soon! *hugs*
Hi :)Just wanted to send some weekend smooches your way!Have a great dayCrystal
i miss you Kenny! Hope everything is alright!
No new posts? Kinda bummed about that. You\’ve definitely become one of my favorite places to visit. Hope all is well…Tracey
I\’ve never commented because you get so many! But I\’d just like to let you know that I\’m only 14… but your stories are still very touching to me! I\’ve put a couple of them in my blog…. But I wanted to let you know I check 5-6 times a day for new entries… haha… Hope you write soon!
you are amazing. write for yourself.AJ
That was simply wonderful. I am an older sister and I wonder if my brother feels that way about me. I know he went through alot of the same things in high school he was always known as the younger Thomas. But I noticed after returning home after being gone for awhile it was like he had broken out of the mold, people no longer talked about me they talked about him. He is simple the best brother I could ever have, well only if he can write as stunning as you 🙂 From someone who thinks you are pretty cool 🙂
Kenny, I was poking around in here like I sometimes do, re-reading your entries, and I actually found one I had never read before.
Wow! What a delightful, unexpected treat! I was sure that I had already read everything in here, and most of them several times.
In my family, it was I who paved the way for my kid brother, although I must say, in our case, he would probably been a little better off without that sort of help.
I feel really, really stupid now, because although I have seen Mandy\’s name in here frequently, I never realized she was/is your sister.
Duuu-hhhhh!
(I guess it would have been smarter of me not to admit that, huh?)
Great entry Kenny. she sounds like a wonderful girl/woman/sister.
steve
p.s. I wonder if you will ever even see this comment, buried so far back in time? If you do, and you\’d like to go on a little "treasure hunt", I have left one or two other comments for you on older entries. (Treasure hunt? Puhleez! Somebody STOP me!)
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site?
Its very well written; I love what youve
got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way
of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful
lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it
out better?