I can say that I have known very few people who consistently stand up for those being picked on and always do the right thing, and many of those people are in my family. My brother achieved success in the U.S. Navy and became a commercial aviator, but I want to share things that maybe not everyone knows.
In the 90s and early 2000s, my brothers and I would often visit the movie theaters in Howard County, such as Columbia Palace 9, Columbia City 3 Cinema, and UA Snowden River Parkway, binge-watching movies whenever we could. Sometimes we would watch three films in a single day, and often, my brother's friends would join us for one or more of those movies. We saw all the indie classics that became cult favorites, like Adaptation, Ghost World, and Magnolia.
All three of these theaters are now closed, a reminder of how time changes our landscapes and the places we hold dear. The weekend before my brother passed away, we watched Flight Risk and The Gorge together and discussed our thoughts about them. I've always loved classic movies, but through my brother, I developed a deep appreciation for indie films that I carry with me to this day.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” I will cherish the memories we created together during those movie outings. And in times of sorrow, I find comfort in Psalm 34:18, which reminds us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
May we all find peace and solace in the cherished memories of those we love, both living and deceased. As Psalm 147:3 assures us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” In remembering our loved ones, we find strength and comfort in the love they shared with us. As 1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”