(#6200) My two older brothers have passed but they still remind me of who I should be

      My older brothers, Jim and John were pretty much my world growing up. We were about 2 years apart so they were close enough in age to me but they had a leg up on experiences. Of which I benefitted from through their behavior. I got to see how they went through difficulties that were coming up on me. So insight there was helpful and saved me some missteps. Not only that but they were caring enough to share things I wasn't able to witness or be aware of happening. Now I wasn't any kind of obvious precocious child but I did try to get ahead of things in order to be prepared. Having Jim and John as mentors was a big deal for me in my navigating early life.
     For one thing I felt secure in myself so that I could relax and be me while also focusing on my learning. There were very few external confrontations that deviated me from my own curiosity driven objectives. When there were confrontations, my brothers offered their advice and it was up to me to display the courage needed to overcome my trials. Throughout my life my older brothers were available to interact in ways that were mostly helpful sometimes not. We grow up and go out and live our lives with expectations but those expectations are not always possible. Same with relationships. Sometimes my solution to a problem is in direct contradiction to their needs and vice versa.
     However in sum, my brothers were a huge positive part of who I was at the start and who I have become now. Even in their passing they still affect how I think and feel. My memories are priceless at times when I remember similar situations to what I am going through now. How they responded in their way to questions with answers full of resolution and conviction. Their particular honorableness in standing up for what was correct and good still highlights in my mind. What they both taught me was that noble idealism is a real thing when we practice it and the defense of it is part of that practice!