A tribute to my brother…he would have turned 48 today.
Young
- I remember the time we learned our cat bore kittens in the neighbor’s boat. We looked at each and smiled. Kittens?!
- I remember the time we slept in a treehouse Grandpa built for us, probably not safe. Can’t believe we stayed all night!
- I remember the time we built our first pinball machine using rubber bands and blocks. Can we please have Atomic Arcade? we begged our parents.
- I remember the time we performed on drum kits in my first grade classroom, Mrs. McVey my teacher. All that practice paid off!
Later
- I remember the time we snuck out of Grammy’s back door late at night to prowl through her small, eastern Oregon neighborhood. You got scared and you cried, sorry.
- I remember the time you performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You were great!
- I remember the night we played the church dance, you on drums, me on keys. Not enough rehearsal, we both agreed.
- I remember you picked up the bass, the instrument that became your life.
- I remember we drove you to Arizona, dropped you off at college.
The End
- I remember you visited my classroom. You asked me, “Wow, this is all yours?”
- I remember we spoke on the phone. “I’ll come see you this summer in Tucson,” I said.
- I remember I told you I loved you, brother.
- I remember the phone call. You were gone, a car crash on Route 10.
- I remember you, my brother.
Happy Birthday, Seanie.
LANNY BALL, Literacy Specialist 
I hope these memories brought you at least equal parts joy as tears. I’m thinking these details are important touchstones that continue to influence you today. Thanks for sharing such tender moments with us.
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We remember, and those memories sustain us. I’m sorry for your loss; it never gets easy. Thank you for your heart-felt post today.
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Thank you for you comment.
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How hard to lose someone so important at such a young age. I appreciate the memories you shared. He was obviously loved.
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Yes, he definitely was loved. I spoke with my father last night and it’s amazing how we are still not quite over it 21 years later. Thank you.
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Those memories are still so clear. So good you got to share them again with your dad. Thank you for sharing and showing us how powerful writing is in helping us remember and hold on to the feelings and relationships that mean so much to us when we have to live through such a loss.
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Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I love how you point out the power of writing as a medium to process loss.
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A lovely tribute and poignant reminder to cherish these seemingly small moments w/ our siblings.
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I love the structure of your memorial to your brother. I hope it was a comfort to you to write these words. I’m not sure we ever completely heal when loss comes too soon.
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Lanny, I didn’t really know Sean, but I so clearly remember that night. We sat with your parents in disbelief.
I love your word pictures of your life with your brother. Lovely and heart-breaking.
I’m thinking of you today.
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It was a terrible night indeed. Hard to believe it’s already been 21 years. Thank you for thinking of me Bonnie
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Thinking of you today. Some loses never lessen.
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Lanny,
Your post makes me smile. It made me happy to read your memories. Your post also made me think about the memories I might write about my sister. I am now three years older than my older sister.
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