Article July 15, 2002 ISSUE

My brother—what a treasure!

By Barbara M. Vining Contributing Editor

GROWING UP WITH two sisters—Marian (2 years older) and me (4 years younger)—couldn't have been all fun for our brother, Bob. A boy would naturally want a brother. Then, when Bob was 13, Mother gave birth to our sister, Jeanne. I still get a laugh when I recall Bob's immediate reaction to the news: "Not another one!" Nevertheless, even though plenty of teasing took place between brother and sisters as we grew up together, Bob loved us, and we loved him.

I've been thinking a lot about Bob lately. He passed on last month. But I'm not thinking of him sadly. I'm treasuring his life—and letting it continue to enrich my own. This seems to me the way to truly honor one who has gone on. I want to gather into consciousness everything about his character that represents his eternal identity as God's precious child, and let it make me a better person. His life is going on, as is mine, because God is our Life. God is singing over Bob with joy (see Zeph. 3:17), and so am I.