Three Years

Each year the anniversary of my brother’s passing is especially difficult for me. Tomorrow it will be three years since John died. While time does heal the wound it doesn’t mean the hurt goes away.

I recently updated my personal Facebook page to the new timeline format and added a photo of my brother and me. That generated a few comments, but one was particularly poignant. It came from Linda Prenosil. Her husband, whose name was also John, recently passed away.

I met John and Linda through my friend Jamie Prenosil. I’ve known Jamie now for many years – ever since our friend Sandy brought him home with her from Iowa. Sandy went to high school with Dana and me, and she went to pharmacy school in Des Moines.

I’ll never forget Jamie’s proposal to Sandy on New Year’s Eve at a party at my friend Mike Gillum’s house. Jamie went down on one knee in a room full of strangers and proposed at the stroke of midnight with the engagement ring at the bottom of Sandy’s glass.

I was impressed by the brave and romantic gesture. But not as much as watching Jamie deliver his father’s eulogy on Saturday. Obviously a difficult and emotional time, but Jamie did an outstanding job of conveying his love and affection with humor and grace.

Just the day before Jamie called me back to my confirm plans to attend the service. After talking about my brother (he also saw the Facebook post) and the passing of his father he ended the call with, “I love you like a brother.”

I am reminded now of my own words at my brother’s memorial. Being an atheist I find no comfort in the promise of an everlasting life. Instead I find the support and love I need from my family and friends. Thank you all.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.