Al and Erma

Al and Erma in 1924, for Al's 8th birthday, taken at a department store photoshop in Cleveland Ohio.

Peter writes: Erma and AL were probably the two most special people in my life, as I am sure they were for many of us. A truly unique, close-knit and long lasting!, sibling relationship.

I can't think of any brother and sister pair like them--two people at first glance so different, Al the businessman and Erma the artist. Al intent on saving and making and sharing money--Erma never seeming to think about it.

But past first glance, they were so close and shared so much in common besides their lengthy history together. Indeed, while one might think as the sister in male-centric age, and the artist oft-supported by her younger brother, Erma relied on Al.


At Al's 80th: Says Booie's 80th, 76 years later

In fact, I think it was more often that Al relied on Erma, as he said in one note, whenever he felt blue about the world or its problems, he "plugged into Ermaland" for an emotional pick-me-up.

Al at Erma's annual 4th of July party

This was Al's favorite photo of he and Erma, from their Alaskan cruise.

On it he wrote: "Of all the wonderful gifts given to me in my lifetime, I think my sister Erma is number one. To me, the picture above symbolizes our 85 year relationship. I am not saying we agree on everything, because we do not. Erma is an artist, I am something else. She is aware and excited by the wonders and beauty of this world. When I have become tired and discouraged, I plug into ErmaLand and things get better."


Ted writes: Sara and I love this picture of Al and Erma together on the steps of the Library of Congress, across from the Capitol Rotunda. On one of Peter's visits to DC, we had him snap this one of us from approximately the same place! Next up, Brooks and Miri!












Ted and Sara (2006) Al and Erma (c.1923)