Left to Right Back Row: Debbie, Alan, Myself
Left to Right Bottom Row: Mom, Charlie, Norma
This picture was taken in July 2018 at my brother, Charlie, and sister in-law, Norma's 50th Anniversary party given to them by their children, Teena, son in-law Roni, and Charlie Jr. in Shapleigh, Maine.
There was a banquet of delicious food and drink.
There was a large number of family present to include our 90 yr. old mother, Evelyn.
It was a beautiful day.
It was the last time I would see my brother alive.
He was the oldest of five children, followed by my brother, Danny, my brother, Alan, my sister, Debbie, and myself.
There was a 19 year age difference between Charlie and me. He was married and had a family of his own while I was still a toddler.
He always referred to me as his 'baby sister' and called me 'dear'. Thankfully, we were able to keep in touch through Facebook! He would often message me at 4am when he knew I'd be awake. He had a gentleman's farm and loved every acre of it. I live in the country, too, so we had that in common.
He was a man of many talents. One being small engine and car repair. He even helped my husband fix his John Deere via Facebook messenger!!
He was well known and well loved in his community and on Facebook!
Charlie was diagnosed with ALS just a short time before the above picture was taken. He had been experiencing symptoms for a long time, but like the trooper he was, he always had hope he'd get better.
While we knew his illness was terminal, we expected to have at least a year or more with him.
Charlie was the family clown who loved to make people laugh and smile. Even though he suffered greatly, he never dwelled on it or felt sorry for himself. He continued to smile and make others smile.
While we were enjoying the food and drink that day, Charlie wasn't able to share in it with us. He had a feeding tube placed and was no longer to take anything by mouth. I'm sure that must have been hard for him as he loved to eat! However, that didn't spoil the day for him.
The message I took away from that day was this: The most important component is being together.
In previous blogs, I've commented about the fear of being a host. Concentrate on the people and not the food and décor. If comes down to it, just wing it and delegate!!! No one will judge you for it.
Honestly, I don't remember all the details about the menu that day. What I do remember is Charlie's enormous smile to have us all there with him.
Get together with your loved ones as often as you can, for no one knows what the next day will bring.
Charlie passed suddenly on January 22, 2019.
He was truly loved by all.
