I'm surprised that when March 24th comes around, I still feel a need to do something to mark my brother, Mike's, birthday. Mike was the oldest of our clan of nine, and he passed away at the too young age of 58. I think he might have gotten a kick out of this blog, if for no other reason than as an entrepreneur he had a keen feel for product marketing.
Mike was a young 58 when he died, and as is often the case with pancreatic cancer, it all happened so quickly. I wonder if he'd be surprised at the lasting impact his early death had on his brothers and sisters. Older brothers Pat and Tim both chose to retire at 62 because of it, and the family has turned everyone's 60th birthday into a celebration of significance.
When my Dad died, I felt awkward on birthdays and anniversaries, not knowing whether such milestones were good or bad for my Mom. I'm sorry I never asked her how she felt about that.
Losing a brother before old age had a chance to touch him gives me a different perspective on how to approach days like today. If my family thinks about me on my birthday when I'm gone, well, I think I'd like that. And if on my wedding anniversary, Katz finds a little joy in remembering a good partnership or my sons have the wherewithall to wish him a happy anniversary, I think it might make the day just a little better for him. I know it would for me.
So happy birthday, Mike. We miss you.
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