I’m the One...

This week I opened the family history book I started writing in January of last year.  The last time I worked on the book was

March 1st, 2021. I had just finished most of the chapter pertaining to myself and my nuclear family so it was Brett’s turn to chime in. 

This is the last thing I’d written in the process of telling our story before receiving the news that my brother was gone (Easter morning, 2021). 

“Brett Alan Patterson is my big brother.  By rights he was my first friend and we remain close to this day.  Our paths diverged when our folks divorced in 1977 and Brett moved to the north side of Indianapolis with dad.  I got to see Brett every other weekend after that and in 1987, we became a tag team again when he moved back with mom for a time.  I’ve asked him to share about his life here while teasing that he should make it count because this is his shot.  I mean really, who else is going to write his life story?  So here are some thoughts about Brett in his own words…”

Brett and I had been talking and sharing stories and photos for several weeks before his death.  Over Christmas I’d shared with everyone that I was starting our book so everyone was excited and the information was flowing. Until it stopped.

I have a folder full of memories and photos from my brother, and many more I’ve pulled from scores of family and friends that have reached out since his death.  I’m determined to pull them together and answer the question I vividly remember teasing him about. “Who else is going to write his life story?” 

Me.  I’m the one.