BOND OF BROTHERS This post is something of a milestone for me-number TWO HUNDRED since my original “WAR ON COLE” blog was launched over a year ago in 2017. Instead of focusing on the political dialog which has been typical of the majority of my posts in the era of CROOKED DONALD and his administration, which needless to say supplies an endless supply of fodder for me and every other media outlet from FAUX NEWS to VICE NEWS, I choose rather to dedicate this post to my brother, and all the brothers out there. There is no stronger bond on this earth than that between brothers!! We’ll just skip the growing up a couple years apart in a Catholic grade school and high school part and move right to our pregnant girl friend(s) and the introduction to adulthood. You’ve all been through the highs and lows, from the absolute ass whipping he gave you when you deserved it to the first time he told you about sex! We’ll skip to the part where the younger brother married his girl first, one with a substantial family pedigree, in more ways than one. While I went on the fast track to Los Angeles and back, my brother partied like in was 1999 (it was actually more like 1969!!) and was something of a rebel, involved in union activity and in general rebelling against the system. I remember one party he had in particular, when he came in the door carrying several bags of groceries and party goods for an impromptu gathering he decided on after another drug induced night at the apartment. He had told me after smoking pot (God forbid!!) the night before he was broke, and I asked him how he could afford to pay for a party? He stated he had floated a check, and that it was “the American way!!” Meanwhile, when my brother in law was unexpectedly killed in an automobile accident, it was me that was asked to give his eulogy, not my brother. Having just moved from California to North Carolina, and working for a division of ITT, the very soul of corporate Amerika in the 1970’s, I was more than on top of my game. My wife stood to inherit a large sum of money from her father upon his passing, and all was good in the world. As it turned out, that false narrative proved to be about as short lived as my marriage. Then something began to happen. I have written a previous post entitled “CONFESSIONS OF A QUITTER” wherein I described my regression from leader in training to follower, and at the same time my brother began to realize that his brains could be used for something other than planning the next party. He went into business for himself as a financial planner, became certified to the highest levels of his profession, became a responsible parent, even though divorced (second one in, first one out!) and a high school football referee, and in general became the man he is today. I urge you to check out his blog, entitled “LIVING IN THE BUCKET”-http://livinginthebucket.blogspot.com. It’s worth reading and will give better insight into his life's philosophy. Since I have returned to Louisville many years ago and gone through a number of sales jobs with average success, my brother has succeeded probably beyond his own imagination, which is saying something, believe me! When I was down and out from losing a job, my brother was there to take me to South X Southwest in Austin, an incredible experience. He was there to support me with a music mix when I lost another job, and pushed me into doing things like hiking and camping which took me out of my comfort zone and into his world, for which I will be forever appreciative. My brother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years ago, and has reacted to that over time by doing what he does best-understanding the objective, learning all you can about the subject matter, and planning a route of attack (or to hike). He dealt with it and continued to move ahead with his goals and objectives. Then a few months ago, out of the blue, he was diagnosed with melanoma. In absolute top physical condition, stricken with two horrific afflictions that would slow or stop lesser individuals. But my brother keeps pressing ahead-we met for the All Star baseball game the other night, which has become a years long tradition of ours where we wager one or two or three $2 bills-that;=’s right, a TWO DOLLAR bill! This is my brother in a nutshell, folks-the money itself means nothing (unless we’re talking financial planning!!) but the fact that you actually have to work to find a two dollar bill to pay off the bet means EVERYTHING!! At any rate, I dedicate this post to my bro and all the other brothers out there who know that there is one person in the world who will stand with you when everybody else walks away, and it’s him. Thanks for being there for us, and thanks for all of the great memories. Your spirit will indeed live on long after you are gone, and for that there are a lot of grateful people, including me.
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About Mike ColeBorn in Hamilton, OH but a proud Kentuckian since age two. One brother and three sisters. Suburban, Catholic middle-class upbringing. Attended Jefferson Community College and Pasadena Community College. Proud father of four and grandfather to seven, and most of all, a concerned American citizen! Are you??? Categories |