U is for Until We Meet Again

Forty-seven years ago today, a baby boy was born. His momma named him Jason Scott and 2 days after his birth, brought him home to meet his big sister, who was just shy of 3. 

I don’t really have a memory of the day I met Scott. But my Mom told us the story over and over of how she laid him in bed next to me early in the morning. And how when I awoke to see him, I seemed unsure of whether he was a real baby brother or a new doll to play with. 

Over the years, Scott and I (along with our cousin, Kim, a year younger than Scott) became each other’s constant playmates. He played Barbies with me, while I built Lincoln Log villages with him. 

We fought, tattled, and protected each other at all costs, just like most siblings. 

As adults, we became the best of friends. And when he found out he was HIV positive at the age of 23, I was the first one he told. And when he was too sick to take care of himself, I was the one he called to bring him home to live out his last 2 years. 

I took him to his appointments, advocated for him when the Dr. refused pain meds, found the new doctor he needed to manage his care, and the day he died, I was by his side, along with our Mom. 

My Mom as never the same after Scott died. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose your child, but I watched my Mom suffer this great loss for many years. There was hole in her heart that couldn’t be filled. Not until Ben came along anyway. Ben healed a lot of that pain for her. For all of us.

When I was thinking about my brother this morning, it occurred to me that while I miss them both so much, he and Mom are now together again. 

That makes me smile and brings me an incredible sense of peace. 

Happy birthday, little brother. Give Mom a hug for us. 

Until we meet again . . .  

You’re it!