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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

My Brother



My oldest brother passed away a week ago Sunday.  He battled cancer for over a year, but in the end cancer won.  But you know, it really didn't.  The Lord was with him through all the struggles and then he took him home.  And home is where Larry wanted to be, if he couldn't be healthy and do the things he loved. 

I always knew Larry was an extremely intelligent person and he and I always got along very well.  I don't really remember ever being angry with him.  Although, I'm sure when we were kids we had our tiffs.  I respected and trusted him.  Before I got married, we had taken several trips together to Florida and we used to go to the movies together a lot.  For a lot of years, we both worked 2nd shift, so we'd meet for lunch quite often.  I'm so glad for that time together. 

I learned a lot from Larry too.  He taught me to play chess (and I never did win a game with him).  He took me on my first and only motorcycle ride.  He would also tease me and give me hard time if I refused to try something new.  He could always talk me into it because I never wanted him to think I was chicken.  haha  Because of him I now like alligator tail, calamari and I'm sure many other things.  He also introduced me to my first James Bond movie.  Good thing too, because James Bond movies are a favorite of my husband. So you see big brother taught little sister a lot.

Larry traveled all over the world and had many friends.  I never really knew how many until he became sick and they started showing up to help or just spend time with him.  Larry's memorial service was on Saturday and I can't believe how many people came and they had a time of open mic when people had the chance to tell something about Larry.  There were probably 15-20 people who spoke and almost everyone of them had something to say about how Larry had helped them in some way.  Maybe by laying a floor for them or giving them something he'd heard they needed or even helping them build a home by a lake in Tennessee. It amazed me and makes me want to be more like him.

So Larry, you taught me a lot in this life and I'm going to miss you.  But I know I'll see you again in time and you can teach me about heaven then.  I love you brother.



9 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your brother was a wonderful man who touched so many lived. May your sweet memories give you some measure of comfort.

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  2. I am so sorry about your brother Cathy, but what a wonderful gift to see and hear from all the people he touched! My older brother's name is Larry too. :) Praying for you as you miss him, but also as you celebrate that he is with Jesus!

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  3. I'm just heartbroken to hear that you lost your brother, Cathy...I know all too well how that feels. Please know that you and your family will be close in my thoughts and prayers.

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  4. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother Larry. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. ((HUGS))

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  5. Oh friend. I had no idea... I'm so sorry.
    I just saw a thing today that said cancer doesn't win even when you die. Its all about how you handle it, live with it, even die with it. If you have an attitude of keeping Christ first, then you won over cancer.
    I'm sure the holidays are going to be tough for you now... prayers for the family!

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  6. I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful man and a wonderful brother. I know you will cherish all the great times you had with him. It is always so hard, and cancer wins more than it should. Hugs!!

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  7. Oh Cathy I am soo sorry to hear about this! How hard this has to be especially at this time of year. I am so glad you have such good memories of him, and being able to see just how many lives he touched must have been a big comfort to you. I will pray for your family. May His arms of comfort be felt in a very real way. HUGS

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  8. I'm really sorry for your loss Cathy. He sounds like a wonderful brother. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  9. Cathy I am so sorry to read this! ( Not sure how I missed this post) What a wonderful tribute to your brother. It must have amazing to find out how many people lives he touched? It sounds like you had a special bond with him. Prayers for your family!

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Thanks for visiting and commenting. Have a wonderful Day!

Cathy