I know what it is like to loose a brother. It is not a pointless thread at all. It is good that you remember him after all these years and remember his birthday. Seems to me that you do remember them more on their birthdays, I think of mine a lot on his birthday. If it makes you sad, do something nice to reconize the day. I buy my Mom a cat realted what not when I feel the need to do something more for her birthday.