I lost my Brother yesterday. Eight years older, only eight years older - than me - and gone. It does not seem fair. Gone, my Brother Ned. Gone. Gone - too soon.
But then, I woke up this morning with this dream, this fantasy, a Twilight Zone episode - story.
My Brother - caught the train, he crossed the bridge. He is over. On - the Other Side. And he is greeted there by a Clarence. Yes, a Clarence. An Angel, like the character from the movie - It’s a Wonderful Life.
Clarence hugs my Brother. Welcomes him. But no wings yet, still here on the other side, there is work for you to do. A gift and at the same time a choice, a chore. One more thing for you to do, Ned, back there, from whence you came.
You can (you must) do something to affect - make a difference - back there - back in that place - from whence you came. A power, a choice, a chore - work to do - to affect someone or something specific - not too big - think person, place, thing. Something to make the world you left behind - better - different that it is now. This power from above, granted to you now - do something to earn your wings.
And I felt a tingle on my skin, when I got up to go to bathroom and walk for a moment in the dark of my hallway. A tingle, goose bumps on my skin. Is that you Ned?
When you were here with me, in this same place, our minds could easily meld and meet.
Can you hear me Ned? Can I offer ideas as to something you might consider doing with your Twilight Zone power, one time (Friends and Family not included) change the world power, your gift, your task???
How about this Ned? An idea for consideration. Maybe run it by Clarence?
1 - Can you somehow grab a hook, shuffle your foot a little to the left while the Referees aren’t looking, perhaps a little “accidental” nudge?
Can you take “That Guy” with you? Hustle him onto the train? Ooopsie, he takes a little fall? “That Guy”. (wink, wind - nudge, nudge)
Don’t worry, if there is in fact any sifting or sorting, he sure as hell (oops, I said it) won’t be going - where you’re going? (So - no worries about that.)
2 - Is that one too big? Too big an Ask?
OK, OK, how about some, just one, UCONN quality Player for The Cuse this year?
One UCONN quality Player, just one - for the home team.
Surely, that’s not - too big “an Ask”.
3 - Clarence said, No. No Go. Again?
OK, OK, how about this?
Some kid, a little boy, a little girl, just one - somewhere. A little boy, a little girl, crying,
A little boy, a little girl, crying somewhere - not because they want some toy they didn’t receive. Affluenza crying. No. F that.
A little boy, a little girl, crying for hard reasons - crying with real - good cause.
Some magic for them. I don’t know what.
A small, tiny kernel of - hope. Something real and substantial for a sad chid to hold onto.
A nugget of real, actionable - hope.
Dry a tear.
Surely, Clarence will bless that idea, thesis, your Graduating Paper, Action Plan.
Yes, that’s it Ned. I think that’s the ticket. Ticket to fly. WINGS
^^^^^
Thank you Brother. Wherever you are.
You showed me the way. Good man that you were. A path - that I might follow.
Thank you Ned. Bless you.
Your life, your memory - You were and You are - a blessing.