Two months ago, I lost my brother. I shared my story with a sweet friend who also lost hers, and she pulled up the sleeve of her sweater to show me a delicate tattoo. It was a dragonfly she got when her brother died.
"I wanted to carry him," she said, and traced it with her finger.
Her words made me want to cry because -- truly -- I wasn't that strong or noble. I wanted my big brother to carry me. We were fourteen years apart in age, and what I wanted more than anything was the feeling of a brother who protected. Who took care of, like in the movies. Someone to watch over me and be a champion...but my brother was mostly gone by the time I was old enough to know him. Now he's truly gone.
Losing him makes me think of all the opportunities we give up to reconnect with people we love. Whether it's age or geography, differences of opinion, lack of time, or personalities that just don't fit, there really is so little point in staying disconnected.
This life is fleeting. Dragonflies barely weigh as much as a dime.
We all need to carry each other....and be gentle with each other's gossamer wings and fragile hearts.
If I know anything, it's this: we're all breakable, delicate, and sometimes tired. Every single one of us.
You.
Also me.
Sending love to all of you today, all around the world. Let's take care of each other while we can.
Catherine x
PS.
- A favourite song of our late brother, sung by Cat Stevens...beautiful. Rest in peace, James Greer. Your siblings honour you, from youngest to now-oldest.
- Also this: rest in peace, Aretha Franklin. Your work in this world was bigger than huge. Thank you.