My blog tends to be a little bit more personal than my Facebook posts. It’s always been that way. I don’t know why. Anyone from Facebook can easily access this site with one click.
Last year, I decided to grow out my hair for donation. Since then I lost my brother as well as another close family friend (to cancer)..and three family friends received the diagnosis.
Hair needs to be eight inches for donation and mine was sitting at nine so it was ready, but the bigger question...was I? It’s only hair and it will grow back...for some reason I was attached to it, even though all I have done for the past several years is wear it in a pony tail.
It was a memory that helped me through the decision making process. You see, this weekend last year (Father’s Day 2016) was the last time I saw my brother. It became clear to me that the time was right.
I can’t say I love it. I can’t say I hate it. It won’t change my life either way, but hopefully it will make a difference in the life of someone else.
Today also marks ten months since my brother passed away. Thank you to all of those who have read my words as I fumble through the grieving process.
It took me to Mount Bonnell where I sat and drank coffee on Saturday morning, then to the playground where I chased around your little boy. He looks just like you.
From there, it was on to some of my favorite places, which I discovered when I visited you.
While standing in line for a taco I met a mother and son from Philadelphia. I stumbled on my words as I tried to explain what I was doing in Austin, then found myself in a lie...”Oh yes, my brother likes it here.” It was much easier than telling the truth.
A new brewery (Lazarus Brewing Company) opened around the corner from Veracruz, so I went to check it out. The man sitting next to me (Christian) was the owner. His path to Austin came via Montana and Philadelphia, so we immediately struck up a conversation. The brewery was his third career. His first was in IT and his second was as a Presbyterian Minister.
He mentioned that he had started a church (All Souls) that reaches out to those with doubts and questions about their faith, which prompted me to ask about the significance of the name “Lazarus.” In scripture, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead...so to him, Lazarus is a symbol of life.
When he finished his story I decided to share mine. I told him about you. He listened...he wanted to know your name...he asked all of the right questions. It was exactly the conversation I needed to be having with someone.
Before leaving, I told him that at your memorial, the priest who gave the eulogy said that you had left us so soon because you had done everything you needed to do here on earth...but I didn’t believe that, not for one second. You are still here, doing wonderful things, even now.
Thank you for letting me drive your truck.
