Into the Fire

Most of you know I lost my only brother, my older brother, rather suddenly and unexpectedly just over a week ago. His memorial was Friday (the 22^nd of July), and it was a terrific event in a tiny town by the sea he loved.

My dad left a huge legacy of people who loved and respected him. That somewhat short man born in Butte, Montana to Italian immigrant parents left some big shoes to fill for his taller son. When my brother eventually entered into the same business as Dad, he demonstrated he inherited the retail gene. However, my brother ended up with some alcohol difficulties that plagued him for several years.

When my brother quit drinking, he dedicated a substantial portion of his sober life to helping others who’d gone down that same road. The fullness of this particular area of his life was unknown to our family until his memorial. There I learned of the love and immense respect my brother had acquired through his generosity in sharing his life, his struggles, his time and energy with others who’d suffered some of the same and worse problems with the drug of alcohol. The small chapel was filled with people who came to pay their respects to and give their testimonies about my brother Dick who they all knew as Richard. He was a friend, a mentor, a rescuer, an encourager, and a person you called when you were desperate. He was a wonderful man.

The service was filled with tears, some laughter, lots of fellowship afterward, and plenty of interesting conversations about a man held in high esteem. He was his father’s son in that he, too, became a great man. As I recorded in my tribute to him, I reiterate now: it is an honor to be his sister.

And, as only God can do, He demonstrated how He can make beauty from ashes and how He can work all things together for good for those who love Him, for those who are the called according to His purpose.  

I love you, Dick.   

Thank you, Lord, for rescuing my brother and me. For loving us. For being patient with us. For saving our souls. Please hug my family for me, Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.