"The road is long, with many a winding turn, that leads us to who knows where. Who knows where? So, on we go. His welfare is of my concern. No burden is he to bear. We'll get there. He ain't heavy, and he's, my brother." (Bob Russell, Bobby Scott 1969)

This month we look in on the Ponepeii Brothers and discover each of them holds the welfare of the others before their well-being.

Welcome to the June 2021 Edition – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers ~ My Brother's Keeper

As the film opens, eldest brother Adam is "shopping for a  wife" to cook, clean, and care for him and his brothers. He finds  the perfect candidate in Millie, who is "pretty and trim, but not too slim; Heavenly eyes and just the right size; Simple and sweet and sassy as can be!" According to youngest brother Gideon, she is also "proud and spunky!" Therefore, when presented with the challenge of turning seven "slummocky back-woodsmen" into mannerly men, she begins by teaching the finer points of "co'tin." ("When you meet a girl, don't grab her like she was a flapjack. Hold off for a while. Offer her your arm. When you've got her alone, steal your arm around her. You've got to court a girl to get her. You got to call her 'my darling, my dear, my precious, my pet.'")

Lessons complete, the brothers go to the barn raising.  During the festivities, including an athletic dance that culminates in a brawl, the brothers find they must defend themselves and each other from a group of jealous men who fear the brothers will steal the hearts of seven of the prettiest young ladies, in his explanation ("I'm sorry Millie, but when that feller took out after Adam, an innocent by-looker"),  Gideon is his brother's keeper.  

As the story continues, Gideon and Adam continue to hold concern for the welfare of their brothers above all.

After the barn-raising as winter sets in, the brothers grieve for the loss of their girls. To cope with this loss, Benjamin decides to leave. Learning of his departure, Millie encourages Adam to talk to the brothers. In turn, Adam tells the story of the "Sobbin' Women" and leads them on a quest to "get (their) girls" and build families of their own. However, with a wagon full of screaming girls and no parson, the brothers find themselves sleeping in the barn. Separated from the girls they love, they blame Adam.

Following a fight with Millie ("You got no understanding. You got no feelings! How could you do a thing like this?"), Adam departs for the hunting cabin to "wait out the winter." During his absence, Millie gives birth. As keeper of the family's honor, Gideon confronts Adam, ("You're my eldest brother. I've always looked up to you. But today, I'm ashamed for you. I know you can lick me. Lick the tar outta me. but I wouldn't hold myself no kinda man  unless I should you how I felt!")    

After receiving a right-cross to the jaw, Adam returns to his family with a newfound respect for his brother, a renewed love for his wife, and a new concern for the girls. ("If someone tried to come and take my daughter, I string him up from the nearest tree.")

With this new attitude, he reclaims his status as head of the family and his brothers' keeper. He orders the brothers to take the girls back to their families. ("Don't you know takin' them back is the only way you're ever gonna get 'em!"). The brothers resist indicating a desire to fight "all of them" until Gideon steps forward, saying, "I stand with Adam." Once again, eldest and youngest brothers illustrate that the family's welfare, whether it be the family of origin or the family yet to be, is the primary concern.

The family yet to be is also a concern of the girls. As fathers arrive to take back their daughters, the  "sound of a wee babe" is heard. Seeing this as an opportunity to be the   "keeper" of the shared family dream, each girl claims the baby as her own, ensuring a happy ending for all the brothers and their brides.

To all those who are keepers of dreams, thank you for looking in!

~~Lori

To All Our #SLP Fans and Friends Join Us @ our virtual booth during the #ASHA Empowered SLP Conference June 2 - 14, 2021. Discover the #PowerofReminiscing to reach your aging clients & register to win one of our engaging products.

See You There!