Jem suggested I post a tribute to my brother, so I am taking her up on that. :)
My brother died in 1990, when I was 16 years old. He was only 22. It was very hard on the whole family, but I also think we each changed in a good way after that event.
Let me tell you a bit about him.
My brother was from my mom's first marriage. My dad adopted him when he married my mom. Which isn't important really, because he was just my brother to me...I never thought of him as a half-brother. But it was very clear my dad treated him differently. It was very tense in our home whenever both were in the same room.
My brother must have had far more courage than I ever realized to deal with that every day.
What made the biggest impact on me is how he treated my mom. Not that I was a bad child, but I was naively inconsiderate I think. He always went out of his way to let her know how special she was. A bouquet of roses just because. Little things that made a difference. The more I get to know my mom now, the more I know that meant to her with what she was dealing with in her life.
My brother died suddenly, and I never got to tell him I loved him. In fact, I am ashamed to say that my feelings toward him before he died were in a turmoil. I thought if he moved out things would be better. Well, he sure did move out.
After he died, I kind of became the "man of the house." I took my brother's example and tried to treat my mom the best I could. I know I will never be able to be JUST like him to her, but if I can make her feel special like he did, I am a better person for it. And I NEVER let my loved ones go without knowing I love them.
My brother was very socially charismatic too. He had a lot of friends. Something I was always envious of. And they weren't just casual friends. They were the type of friends that stuck by you no matter what. His best friend still visits my mom regularly. My brother enforced in me the value of true friendship.
There is much I could say about him, but this will do for a tribute.
I love you, my brother, my friend.
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