Friday, November 26, 2010

My baby brother

I just wanted to have my own little rememberance of  my brother, who was 3 years younger then myself.  There were 4 of us and we were exactly 3 years apart.  I am sure my mom had her hands full.  My brothers name was Kevin, he was quiet and shy, a head full of red hair.  All 4 of us had different color hair.  They were all left handed, I was the only rightie.  Kev was a good kid, who didn't get into trouble.  Well maybe had a little part in my Uncles barn burning, when all of us kids would gather there and plan in the old cars and climb all over that barn, until it burn't down, haha. Kids will be kids right? Kevin decided to move out west at maybe 17 or 18, not quite sure.  He was determined to follow his older brother and make a life for himself out there.  He became a security guard, and met someone and fell in love.  His life was set.  We wrote back and forth quite often.  In one letter he told me how he loved life and being alive.  Then one day out of the blue on my moms birthday 29 years ago today, we received a call that my brother was found hanging in his apartment.  When you say there are moments in life that are forever in your mind, well that is one of them.  My mom is the strongest person I know, she has weathered that storm, which would have destroyed most people, and believe me it wasn't easy for her for quite awhile.  But she pressed forward.  We don't know if our brother was doing this thing called the choking game or he meant to do it, but it doesn't matter how.  I have forgiven him and want to cherish our memories we had together.  My mom has survived more that any mom needs to survive, with my dads passing 6 months after my brother.  Then my older brother passed with cancer only a couple of years ago.  But life is for the living and we have a lot to be thankful for.  She turned 82 today and I am so proud of her for being a great role model in my life.