I began a photographic/journalistic record of my efforts to define my relationship with Mike, my older brother. This might sound odd to those of you just joining me on my blog, but Mike is autistic, low functioning and has never spoken. I never knew for sure if he knew that I was his brother. There have been only one or two instances in my 60+ years where I was able to conclude that he knew that I was different than anyone else.

Both my parents loved music. Here is a family snapshot of Dad showing baby Mike the piano. (From Soothing Music April 16, 2013):

Mike was able to hum symphonies as a baby, I was told. He was able to respond to the ‘surprise’ part of Haydn’s Surprise Symphony.

Mike still likes music. I brought my violin along on one of my visits to his group home and Dad tried to stir his memory. (From Another Try at Music April 17, 2013):

Mike appears to be listening, but this is one of his postures.

Here is a series of stills I arranged as a contact sheet. (See Another Film Strip March 25, 2013):

I encourage you to see the original posts from which these photos were taken.