“A Brother’s Love”

Upstairs and downstairs, in and out every day,
We were little young kids and we’d run, and we’d play.

Sports was our center every day every way,
Whether soccer, football, baseball, or hockey we’d play.

Sometimes biking the trails when Mom & Dad said no,
Sometimes chasing and fighting, he knocked me out once, you know.

The Cubs were our focus, 6 months every year.
Would they make the payoffs, we really DID care.

As we snuck off to Wrigley, with anxious hope and fear,
Sorry, not this time kiddo…maybe next year!

Then Cubbies rallied and slugged, with the mightiest might,
And won the World Series in Cleveland one night!

The soccer we played as young men was intense,
In high school, and college, the friendships immense.

Then all dark as night, as our rock went away,
No hope no direction what we could say.

We were grieving, no solace, as we plodded our course,
Our family helped right us; it took years of course.

Then all of a sudden, even more darkness fell,
No more hope, why go on…
And all at once…an epiphany bell!

STOP! —
RESET! —
CHOOSE TO BE DIFFERENT! —

With help from his family he overcame strife,
New location, new work, a new outlook on life!

Now seeing life unshackled, no weight from the past.
He chose to renew, a spiritual happiness that would last.

Every room that he entered became instantly lit,
With his fun-loving trivia, enthusiasm and wit.

Our time together, phone calls, messages we’d send,
I knew in my soul he was my very best friend.

My brother, my brother it’s great to know you anew!
Such gratitude, high spirits, all others saw it too.

When I looked at myself, he did it to me,
Made me a better man and able to see,
How he brightened the world from his home by the sea.

Yes, he loved his beach walks and his family and friends,
Not angry, not bitter not even at the end.

By showing everyone, to see things as good,
He showed me MY legacy would live on as HIS would.

That positive radiance shined bright every room,
And when he would leave no more worry, no gloom.

I love my dear brother he was nearly my twin,
In the end he had taught me love and kindness will win.

So here I am now, he’s not here but I am,
I’ll continue his love, the very best that I can.

Thank you, Peter, my brother.
God speed in Heaven!

TCR
April 22, 2024