Last summer I was reunited with my brother Joe and other brother (from another mother) Brian Kass. We came together at my sisters by chance. It was a brief encounter, but very impactful.
Brian, Joe and I were inseparable since the first days I can remember being alive. Brian is 2 months younger than me and my brother is almost 2 years to the day younger. I can remember being together at roughly age 4 thru age 12 every day of our lives because we lived next to each other.
Our most formidable years of learning were influenced by our time together. We shared all kinds of adventures in a local creek, basketball, pole vaulting, neighborhood parties and fights, whiffle ball, exploring, and golf.
I am taken back by this photo because I was reminded of ALL of that, and how much I still love these two men. And only because of life getting in the way, we were apart. Our first split came because I am an August baby and Brian was Oct, so I went to school ahead of him. We were 3 grades apart from then on.
After high school and college Brian moved to the Siesta Keys 30 plus years ago. My little bro moved to Saipan, Phoenix and now Casper. Although Joe and I made it a point to play golf every year, speak on the phone, and be godfathers to our kids, it didn’t dawn on me how important these two men were to me until I was with them last summer, and later by seeing this photo.
These two men helped shape me into the man I am today. Mostly all of the good stuff-the bad I learned on my own! Today I help coach people find their purpose in life. And I am reminded that I still have lots of work to do myself! This photo is a wonderful reminder that there are doors closed in my life that still need opening.
What doors, or memories, or people are in the dark corners of your life that could enlighten your view to a fulfilled life? Do you have the key to open those doors?
Thank you for sharing that nice story. We all need to be reminded of what is important in life!
What a great reunion. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It’s a reminder to all of us about how our communities shaped us into who we are today. I too remember great memories of my hometown and the people that contributed to a unique opportunity to experience something that many would envy. Part of that experience was having an early opportunity to have Jerry as a friend, and then later Lori, both of whom I have admired throughout life. It’s been a number of years since I’ve seen them both, but their spirit and influence in my life will never be forgotten and this has been a reminder to make that happen.
“David, life is a beautiful circle that keeps on giving.
Thank you for sharing your piece. We can all relish the glory of it if we stay awake!
See you soon!”
Jerry Haack
I was touched by your story Jer. I was recently thinking of true friendships. I am a believer that things happen for a reason, so the timing of your post was a “WOW” moment for me. Sitting in the Church pew yesterday to learn that the topic for the sermon was titled “Friends Forever” was profound.
What a great reminder of friendship. So true are roots run deep and if we don’t take some time to water them every so often they dry up. Reading your thoughts brought mine to friends from high school, who over time have slipped and had such a strong influence on who I am today…time to get out that watering can!