I mentioned my little brother in Wednesday's blog honoring National Sibling Day. I don't write about him here too often. We lost him to colorectal cancer 16 years ago. He was 48 and left behind a loving wife (Jo Anne) and two beautiful children, Sara and Michael, who were 15 and 10 when he died. Mike really doesn't even remember his dad being healthy and well. Randy (Paul Randall) fought his cancer for seven years (give or take a few months). Needless to say, it was devastating. I sometimes wonder if we lost our parents when they were in their 60s so they wouldn't have to experience losing their son. I know, I know, but it has crossed my mind.
Randy was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He was active in his church, took the lead in building homes for Habitat for Humanity, did building projects at the Methodist church campground, attached to their church (Peace United Methodist in Pickerington, Ohio). He was a graduate of Ohio University and ran a very successful construction business during his college years and turned that into a very successful door/construction business with his friend, after college. He was a hard worker, a fun partier, a true friend (didn't really know a stranger) and at his funeral 'viewing,' people were lined up outside the funeral home, waiting to get in to pay their respects. He touched so many lives with so much good and so much love. We lost him much too soon.
He was my little brother and I found these few photos of just the two of us, many, many years ago.
And here he is with his beautiful family,
not too long before we lost him.
Mike, Sara, Matt (Sara's hubby) and Jo Anne
two years ago. Jo Anne is a wonderful mom
(sister and friend) and has done a great job raising Sara and Mike.
One of my favorite pictures of Mike and Sara!
Sara is working on her Ph.D. Her hubby is doing his Residency at
The University of Cincinnati Hospital,
and Mike is doing his first year as an Intern in Toledo, OH.
My brother would be beyond proud, and especially that they
have kept Christ in their lives.
Thanks for taking this walk down my memory lane!!
I am a very blessed Aunt!!
PS,,, Jo Anne is a crazy cat lady (like me) and
both of the kids also love cats (so did Randy).
It does run in the family! Ha!
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(I must mention that I also have a very talented and accomplished graphic artist niece, Kelly. She is the daughter of my sister, Patti, and bro-in-law, Greg. Kelly graduated from Ohio University and is just getting started on her career as a graphic artist.) A very blessed Aunt, x 3 indeed!
Peace & hugs! God bless!!
Wonderful loving memories. Praying for you all, Terri.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks for sharing about your brother and his family. You are truly blessed.
ReplyDeleteBrothers are so special. Mine also passed from cancer. He was just 26.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless him and his family.
So sad to hear.... wishing you a fine Florida day....
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri, I know how you must miss your brother. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures and the story of his life. Yes, he left this world way too soon. I totally understand that. So glad his family have carried on and have done so well. I know that would make your brother very proud and thankful, as it does you! My oldest brother is battling leukemia now, and is having a tough time of it. He is 75. And even at this age, it still seems too young. But we know that the life to come is so much better...we just have to wait our turn. Thank you for sharing this with us today. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your pics of your brother + his family.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
What a lovely tribute to your brother. He sounds like someone I'd have liked to meet. And so awesome that his kids have kept Christ in their lives. I meet too many young people who have abandoned Him.
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri, what sweet and touching memories you have shared with us today. Thank you! And I'm right there with you saying you are one blessed aunt and sister.
ReplyDeleteMemory Lane is a wonderful place to travel
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post and tribute. :) enjoyed meeting your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories in pictures you have of your sweet brother. Thank you for sharing them. Hugs sweet Terri have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow blessed you were for those 48 years, Terri! In situations like this, my boss used to quote Billy Joel, "Only the good die young." I don't know about that, but Randy sounds like an amazing, Godly man. These photos of you and he are so cute!
ReplyDeleteYour brother sounds like an awesome man, husband, brother and friend. You and those he knew and loved were very blessed. It's great that you have some wonderful photos for your album and memories.
ReplyDeleteYour tribute to your brother makes us all want to be better people. This was good reading and the pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteI love the pics of you two as youngsters and the pics of the family and kids. Such a sad disease. My BIL lost his Dad to it when he was 50.
ReplyDeleteOh Terri, so so sad to lose such a young vibrant man!! That's how we felt when colon cancer took our amazing niece Lori a few years ago, just 45 years old. She had fought it for so long and had some healthy years in between recurrences. The very thought of possibly losing her was overwhelming. Her daughter left for her first year of college the day after the funeral! And now she has already graduated and has a successful career and leads a young women's Bible study. Sometimes she reminds me so much of her mother that I almost get them confused in my mind. Is that crazy?
ReplyDeleteWell that was just the sweetest post! I love all the pictures. I'm one of those who gets excited when people pull out the family photo albums/videos. There's nothing like the happy that family photos can show and I love that.
ReplyDeleteMy little brother's name is Randy, too. 💜
ReplyDelete