Friday, November 4, 2011

My Brother, Jim

Sometimes life throws you a curveball that smacks you in the face. I received such a curveball last night when my brother, Mike, called to let me know that my brother, Jim,  passed away. Jim was 54. Certainly too young. 

Jim was the second of 5 boys in my family.  I am the youngest. He was a very unique individual. Growing up, I remember he LOVED the Beatles and baseball. He was huge into music of all kinds. He worked for a music store called Licorice Pizza for years (I don’t think they are even in existence anymore). He then worked for distributing company in their music department until he was let go a few years ago due to downsizing.  He also loved trains and history. He could remember things in great detail. He was a collector, both of things and trivia.  He was always interesting to talk to because he was knowledgeable about so many things. He wasn’t very sociable, however. He was shy and could have been considered quite grumpy and he made no bones about sharing his opinion about things, popular or not. He never married. After my mom passed away, he and I formed a pretty strong bond. We always called each other on birthdays and holidays and it was like we had just talked last week. Jessica shared his birthday. Unfortunately for me this year, I didn’t get to call him on his birthday. I was caught up in my volunteer commitments and Jessica’s birthday. He understood (I had sent him a card and emailed him), but I will regret not calling him that day or even a couple of days later.  I am grateful for the 2 hour conversation we had on my birthday however. It was a great one and I told him in his birthday card how much I appreciated that chat.

I hadn’t seen him in years, but this past summer he got to meet my girls when we took a side trip from South Dakota to Minnesota, where he and Steve’s aunt lived. Steve’s aunt is ill and we wanted to visit her. Of course, we had to stop to see Jim, too. We had a great lunch. I’m so glad now we made that stop, even though it made for an extremely long day.

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Jim, I love you and will miss you terribly, but will take comfort in the knowledge that you have met up with Mom and are probably catching up, big time.

My dad seems to be doing okay so far. He’ll be heading out to Minnesota and my brother Jeff (the oldest) will most likely head that way too, to help him. I don’t know for sure anything beyond that.

Thanks for reading, if you got this far. Hug your loved ones tight while you can. Please don’t get too busy to make a call or send an email/card.  You just never know.

Jeanne

17 comments:

Alanna said...

Oh Jeanne, my heart goes out to you and your family. What a loss. 54 is most definitely too young to go.

I'm glad you were able to talk to him on your birthday. I'm sure he knew that you loved him.

Hugs!

Erica said...

Jeanne I am so incrediby sorry for your loss & will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!

Sparkplug17 said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! But glad you have such great memories of your brother. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

Laurel said...

So sorry Jeanne. He was definitely too young.

HSCreations said...

Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts!

Beth aka BR-T said...

Oh you dear I am sorry for your loss...I feel like I almost know him now from your wonderful words about your brother.

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Oh Jeanne. I am so sorry for your loss. Your brother sounds like a wonderful person. I pray that fond memories will bring you comfort.

Hugs!

Kim Burmeister said...

Oh, Jeanne! My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I love the story you shared with us today. It reminds me that no matter how much time it takes....family is important. I am so glad you got to have the memories of your brother on your last trip to Minnesota. It is awesome that you took the time to take pictures of your visit with him. God Bless!

Hugs,

Kim

Gloria said...

So sorry to hear about your brother. I recently lost my dad, and it was a shock too. Not that unexpected due to a condition he had, but it didn't take long once it started happening, so I guess it was a blessing. I'm so happy you got to see him and visit with him. God bless you and your family.

gloria in Utah

mE said...

Jeanne,

I am so sad to hear of your loss. I can see and feel your love for Jim in the words of your beautiful tribute to him. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I know your brother is having a JOYOUS reunion with your mom and others who have gone before and I KNOW you will see him again.

Wishing you the peace of the comforting arms of God and His angels,

Love, Erin

Anonymous said...

Jeanne,

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm so glad that you were able to visit your brother over the summer. I can feel your sadness; as I have been where you are right now. Just know that you and your family are in my prayers. God bless you and take care.

Love and Big Hugs,
Tamara

stampmonkey said...

Oh, Jeanne --like everyone else who has commented, I too am very sorry for your loss. We received a call just like that last weekend...my husband's uncle had passed away. And like you said, you just never know.

Memories are made of times and conversations shared, and it sounds like you have many wonderful ones to help you adjust to life without Jim. I'm glad you were close to him, as I'm sure sharing your life with him enriched his as much as he did yours.

Thanks for sharing some of your memories and pictures of Jim with us, as well as this difficult news...you will be in my prayers.

love and blessings,
Christi

Jena said...

Jeanne - so sorry to hear about your loss. Glad you got to see him this last summer, though. Take care, my friend, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Barb said...

My dear sweet Jeanne...I am so very very sorry for your loss! My heart dropped when I read the first few lines of your post.

I am glad that you two had a chance to visit and he got to meet your sweet daughters. I love the memories you shared about him. I remember Licorice Pizza! :)

I am sending you cyber hugs, and know that you and your family are in my prayers.

hugs,
Barb

Barb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stampin n da Hood said...

So sorry for your loss Jeanne, and hoping all of those fond memories keep him close to your heart.

Sanela McLean said...

I am so sorry for you loss. HUGS.