rayvyn2k | Happy Birthday, Joe (Reply)

A Tribute on your 45th Birthday.

My brother Joe would have been 45 years old today. I still miss him so much, I cannot tell you how large a chasm his passing has left in my life. I couldn't let this day go by without acknowledging my "big" little brother.

Behind the cut is a picture tribute along with the essay I wrote the night I found out about his death.

Happy Birthday, dear Brother

Joe and I when we were the only ones, he's always been my baby brother.

The funny thing about phone calls...Sometimes they are for wonderful reasons...someone getting married, having a baby...new house, new puppy (or kitten). Maybe it is a vacation you took you want to tell someone about, or the movie you saw last week. Maybe it is because your favorite baseball team won the championship and is going for the big one.

I don't know where the heck I was, must've already been out the door. First day of school!

Or. Maybe not. Maybe it's 1:00 in the morning. 1:00 in the morning is NEVER a good time to get a phone call.

Joe was a huge help to our Grandma after Grandpa had a stroke.

I can't remember if this was before or after he joined the army...based on his physique, might be after.

He was in the infantry, and was really good at what he did.

With Mom at brother Jeff's wedding. The "BEST" man.

Especially when it's your father. And he's telling
you that your brother is dead. Now, instead of four, we are three. It used to be: Cathy, Joe,
Beth and Jeff.

Now it's just Cathy, Beth and Jeff.

He was such a big lug... he had a fantastic personality and was a kind, loving person. He had so much love to give, and unfortunately, never found love in this lifetime. I think the worst thing is knowing he died alone...except for his cat and the landlady's dog. That's definately the worst thing. I wish he hadn't been alone.

I'm going to miss him so much. We had a joke...I was the oldest, but soon, he was the tallest.

So I took to calling him my "big" brother. I can't believe this has happened... hope my brother has finally found the peace he
couldn't get in life. I miss him already.

He is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your
back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
Anonymous

His beautiful, peaceful resting place.