Happy Birthday to my Brother Paul - 2015

Well, today would have been your 57th birthday. I've been missing you quite a bit lately as so much has been going on that I know I would have been talking endlessly with you about.  The world is a huge paradox these days. We're careening down a path towards financial and social destruction, while being a part of innovations that are changing the way we do everything.  I'm hoping that we reach a point soon where one cancels the other out finally. The other thing that scares me is the world we are giving our children. They are coming age, and should be running the show now, but I see so much apathy, and disconnection in their faces that I don't think they understand what's wrong.

I have a feeling that every generation when it reaches middle age looks at the next generation this way. I hope that's the case, and these are just the ramblings of an aging curmudgeon-to-be.  Otherwise, things are good here.  I am a much happier person at age 50 than I was at age 30. It would be better if you were still here though.  Happy Birthday Paul.

--Brother Neil

A Poem for Paul 1958-2007 by Sue

A Poem for Paul 1958-2007

SEVEN

Seven years have passed,
Since I saw you last
Where has all the time gone?
It's flown by like the wind,
Lifting the bird's wings,
Higher, and higher until it
Flickers over the horizon for
One final wave goodbye.

Wasn't it yesterday when
You sat in my kitchen?
I must be dreaming
That was back in '77.
A lifetime ago, a blink of an eye
You're still gone & I often
Wonder why?
Not a day goes by, that I don't think of you.

I found a seashell in a jar
One we picked up from the
Beach at the Cape Cod Shore.
I wonder if it has travelled as far
As you are.

How far is Heaven?
I don't know
Just know that you've been
There for Seven

Until we meet again my friend
Rest in Peace, Love, & Joy.
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas
Your most favorite time of year is here.
We'll keep it for you as in years passed
Whether it's 25, 30, 50 or just Seven.

Love, Always & Always
Sue

Happy Birthday Paul!

Happy birthday to my brother Paul who would have been 56 today.  For some reason the story that came to mind had to do with a vacation that Paul took back in the early eighties.  You see, Paul had re-programmed most of our business's computer system, and was therefore the only one who could fix the damned thing when it broke.  After not being able to get away for a long time he finally got in the car and hit the road.

What happened?  You guessed it.  Something broke.  When they finally got a hold of him, he was relaying information from Mount Washington in New Hampshire on a payphone.  No cells yet. I've always had this vision of Paul yelling into that remote payphone in the mountains with a line of people waiting to use it.  "No!  I said RE-BOOT"

I hope everyone else continues to remember stories like this.  We miss you Paul.

A letter to Paul - 2013

Here we go again.  Another move during the holidays.  It's a house this time.  Everything has been

falling into place lately.  I wish you could be here to see how everyone has grown (even the adults).  All of the cousins are either in, or done with college.  I've been reading a lot, but my reading time is about to be re-purposed for schoolwork, as I finally try to finish college myself.  I've got a little more grey upstairs, and need to be a little more careful with my health these days, but we're going to try to stick around to see all of the cousins turn grey.  Lee and Dawn, and Jill and I have been spending vacations together, and looking forward to more.  It's hard not having you, and mom, and dad around for the holidays, but I wanted you to know that we'll keep the rest of the clan together as much as possible.  Maybe even re-start the old Bruntil "family meeting" tradition.  We'll see.

Say hi to the folks, and any aunts, uncles, and grandparents you may run into.  Take care, and check in on us once in awhile.

Lots of love,

Neil

From Sue: For Paul on his 55th birthday

Inspired by DION'S "Abraham, Martin, and John (and Bobby)

Photo by Amy

Has anyone here seen my old friend Paul?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He Loved a lot of people in his lifetime.

They say the Good die young.

I looked around and he was gone.

Has anybody here seen my old friend Paul?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

Lifted to Heaven's Gate on wings of Angels.

They say the Good die young.

I looked around and he was gone.

Has anybody here seen my old friend Paul?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

Gone to see Abraham, John, Martin, and Bobby.

They say the good die young.

I looked around, and he was gone.

Happy Birthday Paul from your old friend Sue. I miss you buddy. I'll

meet you down the road. Thanks for your friendship. I'll never forget you. Good times my friend, good times.

Love Always, and Always, Sue

Five - (by Neil)

alphabunny_photos - Flickr

Five cups of pudding

Five trips to nowhere

Five dinners with the folks

Five used Dell C-series laptops

Five quarts of home made spaghetti sauce

Five states called home

Five blue delivery vans

Five BP catalogs

Five pots of Mr Coffee Mac and Cheese

Five miles back to the car

Five nights at the New Yorker

Five hours stuck on an the Amtrack Empire

Five blocks to the laundromat in Union City

Five of us, then four, then three, now two

Five years without you....

A Poem To Remember - from Sue, 2012

Arjan Almekinders - Flickr

A Poem to Remember

Five years 'round the Moon
Brings us once again
To this day in December
When you passed from this life
And we pause to remember

A life so full of Life
In a breath gone to soon

Continue on your journey Paul
Until it's our time to meet again
We all will find you again someday
No matter how many times we travel 'round the Moon.

Give my Love to Santa, xxoo Always & Always, Sue