I wear a watch and an equally simple necklace with a pendant that looks as if it may be from a high school; it’s a long upside triangle – with half of it yellow and the other white – that reads Saint Catherine’s. Both of these things were gifts from my late brother George and – at the time, they didn’t particularly suit me.
It’s taken some time but -now , I can’t imagine wearing anything else. He always seemed to regard me as the person I would grow into – as opposed to the person I was then.
Or – maybe , he was -truly, the kindest person I’d ever met.
After he died I would come to see all the qualities Id somehow – taken for granted; always expecting him to be just a ring – or a knock away.
He was so efficient with his words- his movements and way of being and not at all in a cold way – rather- selflessly leaving room for everyone else.
He would never condemn me to a way of being ; although I could be especially cruel at times. Instead, he’d always accept me – irregardless – with open arms.
Even as toddler – I’ve heard I was a bit ruthless – evidently the role of older sister and enforcer had clearly gone to my head-albeit it only being an 8 minute age difference.
Now – I see, what we are left with after – are just these qualities. What endures is how we treated one another – the consistent qualities that make up our days- the small acts that build to make up a life. And – I wish I was kinder then – more open – but – I suppose that’s just another gift George left me with ….
