I snapped this photo with my phone from Vicki’s photo album in the guest room when I was visiting last summer.
This weekend is a celebration that I initiated for my family to celebrate my brother’s life with friends and family.
My brother left the planet before I could truly know him and spend quality time with him. Our childhood was awesome in so many ways. But one huge and overbearing regret I have is not being about to truly grow into mature adults together. We got a glimpse of that. We shared stories of parenthood – the love, the intensity, the fear. He was passionate about the world. He was not afraid to meet people everywhere and was genuinely interested in their lives. He was always evolving. He was sincerely interested in growing as a person and making a positive contribution to the planet. He elevated people around him. He was an honorable, worthy man because he loved life and could see beyond petty bullshit.
Some may think that I idolize him. And I have thought that too. Maybe I do. He was my brother, and I uphold him. I also know he was human. I know he was isolated in his cute little blond curled boy way. I know he wasn’t perfect. I know he failed and got overly frustrated. I know that he hurt people and let people down. But I know that overwhelmingly he encouraged, mentored, modeled, supported, motivated and inspired many. And many consider him their good friend.
And I know he saw so many people unhappy and had a longing for a deeper meaning to his life and ability to make the world better for others.
Dream big dreams. The Sky is no limit!
Wendy Lea Writing 