~August 29, 2017
One year ago today my life and the life of my family changed forever. My brother, Louie, my only sibling, was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.
Today, instead of focusing on what could have been or what should have been, I choose to focus on joy. Joy that I had such a wonderful brother who loved me. We shared our birthday, only one year apart. I was his birthday present, and I didn’t mind telling him how lucky he was to get me as a gift. In all reality, I was the one who received the gift, the gift of an older brother who loved me from the start with all his heart.
So many thoughts are running through my mind today, and because I only want my thoughts of Louie to be happy, I am choosing joy when I think of Louie. I think of the years we had together, just the two of us, brother and sister, somethings laughing, sometimes fighting, but always loving each other. I will feel his love of life comforting me like a warm knitted shawl on a cold day. I know that he is with me and my family today and always, and because of this, I smile in Joy.
Today, a day of tragedy, I will not let it overcome me. I am choosing joy to remember my brother. I will look back on our time together and be forever grateful that I had that time. I am reminded that no matter what is going on in my life, I have a choice in how I react. Just like a fork in the road, I have a choice to make, I can feel anger and bitterness or joy and love, and I choose joy.
Joyful Soul 