In January this year, I wrote a letter to my brother and I am grateful that I sent it to him. It was my last written communication to him before circumstances continued to prevail and we had no contact with one another. The letter is below and is the same letter I read-out at his memorial last week:
9 January 2017
Dear Dave
I am writing this letter to let you know that you are still in my heart. As your sibling, you and your well being are constantly on my mind.
I may not have seen you for some time, but that does not mean I have forgotten you. My love for you is eternal and no matter what happens, I will always love you.
Although you are older than me, I have always thought of you as a twin – like two chicks in a nest who took some time to find their wings. Looking out from the nest, we saw that the big world was a daunting place. Whereas I now look back and can see a rainbow, you may see a storm with the world in darkness and menacing.
As chicks, we were both born with goodness in our hearts. You were born with unique skills: the skill to charm people, athletic competence and a yearning for knowledge gathered by unconventional means. Having found that you could fly, you did fly but it was not a straight path. Sometimes you came crashing down and other times you soared above the nest going too far too soon.
Recently, as my twin bird, you have again fallen hard breaking your wings and are battling to find reason to fly and see the vast possibilities that life offers us all in varying degrees. I am here to help you not fall. Mom and dad remain loyal and committed parents, trying to help you mend your wings. What we want is to see you glide and soar above the illnesses that you have been burdened with.
When the time is right, I would like to meet with you and see how you and I can again be the chicks in the same safe nest, peering out at the good and the brightness of the sun, then taking flight and letting the cool sea breeze energise our souls instead of ruffling our feathers.
All I want you to know is that I am still here, still think of you and love you.
Your sibling,
christine
