Brotherly Love

I have one sibling.  A brother who is 2+ years older than I.  He lives in Texas, where it is HOT most of the time.  I just got back from a two week visit with him.  We had a ball.  We ate a lot, drank a lot of beer and wine,  went to see the Texas Rangers get beat (damn!) and took in the Dallas Museum of Art.  Plus spent a lot of time catching up on old stuff, and generally having a good time.  I ate well, rested well and was treated like royalty.  My sis-in-law is a sure-fire excellent cook, and "boy howdy" did we eat well, and healthy.
All too soon it was time to head back to Indiana, but knowing that I will go back sometime during the winter made the leaving a touch easier.
I have always wondered how the gene pool works when it comes to passing out looks in the same family.  Though my brother is, like I mentioned earlier, somewhat older than I, well, you all be the judge of whom looks like the younger brother.  So unfair!!!

The top pic was take approximately 68 years ago when I was about 6-7 months, and Bro was well over 2.

The bottom pic was take last weekend.  Me on left, Bro on right.  Like I said, the gene pool sometimes is so unfair!  LOL!  But I love him anyway.

Peace,
 JE

Memories

Six years ago yesterday, I buried the love of my life.  The pain and agony of grief was unimaginable.  I was looking at life through a tunnel of darkness, barely able to see a dim light at the end of that tunnel.  I thought it would never end, that tunnel.  But, I am living proof, that, yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel of grief. 
Today, I am content.  I guess that's as good of a word to describe how I am feeling.  I have dealt with the grief and loneliness, and have become what I think of as a stronger, more independent person.  I have realized that the world doesn't stop for my broken heart and life, and that moving ahead is possible. 
I have discovered that I can stand on my own and take care of myself, a home and all that goes with it.  This, in no way, should minimize what kind of life I had as a married man.  Ours was a marriage of joy and happiness.  I miss that, and I miss my mate.  But, I realize that she isn't coming back, and that life does go on.
I am grateful for all the years we had together.  I will never forget them or my loving late wife.  I will cherish all that went with those years.  I have my children and grandchildren to sustain me as well as a vast group of friends who have been my support group.  I love them all.
Bless life, caress it every day, for it could end with the snap of a finger. 

Peace,
JE