My brother in 101 words

emma peel

Location: La dolce vita, Canada
Birthday: December 10

Title: Citizen of the world
Company: Inside my head

Bio: A writer is an egomaniac with low self-esteem. Disclaimer Please be advised that what you read here does not represent anyone at OS, or anyone else in the known blogosphere, or world outside the Internet unless specifically stated. I've spent most of my life as a journalist, arts and film critic, editor, educator and writing coach. I've been lucky enough to travel extensively and to meet many fascinating famous and ordinary people. I live in a beautiful part of the world that sustains my soul. I am blessed to have an understanding husband and loyal friends. I have a sharp edge, but underneath I am an idealist and a romantic. My heart breaks at all the stupidity, injustice and cruelty in the world. I will never stop fighting against it.

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APRIL 9, 2010 11:33PM

Rate: 54 Flag

On this bright, chill day I think of you. Of a day we sat in the sun warming our hands on cups of coffee watching self-important people go by. Of how you smiled and said, “This is the best coffee I’ve ever had.” Of how I bought you another because you had so few pleasures in your life. Of your embarrassment about not belonging there. I said that you did belong because you were my brother. I look at your picture, so serious and sad, and wish I could buy you another cup of coffee just to see you smile again.

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i miss you so much stilll, my brother, denise, 101 words meme

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Comments

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Exactly 101 words.

emma peel

April 09, 2010 11:34 PM

Done so very well. I can see you sitting, laughing, knowing. I wish you could buy him another cup of coffee too.

Lunchlady 2

April 09, 2010 11:44 PM

this is love

hyblaean- Julie

April 09, 2010 11:46 PM

thanks Emma...It made me think of Greg. I thought of him in a room, where he waits. It will be a wile, and I am sure he knows that...

Gary Justis

April 09, 2010 11:47 PM

Thanks everyone. I just happened to be looking at his photograph when I read Denise's meme. I don't think I ever knew how much I loved him until he died. It's funny how that works.

emma peel

April 09, 2010 11:54 PM

Emma,
...beautiful, sweet, loving, and sad. So much there in so few words. Much love to you.

Jill McLaughlin

April 10, 2010 12:01 AM

There is so much in your 101 words -- love & sadness & imagined backstory. It makes me think about how sometimes moments that seem not-dramatic-at-all turn out to be the ones we remember the most. Beautifully done.

suzie

April 10, 2010 12:07 AM

really lovely, emma.

femme forte aka candace

April 10, 2010 12:13 AM

Very beautiful 101 words, Emma. I now miss him too.

aim

April 10, 2010 12:35 AM

i loved this. so loving and bittersweet.

lorianne

April 10, 2010 12:55 AM

emma I love you. As did your brother. How could he not have loved you? This works.

whoopdedoo

April 10, 2010 12:55 AM

[[[[[Emma]]]]]

Thank you for this.

Verbal Remedy AKA Denise

April 10, 2010 01:06 AM

This is how my friend Paul feels about his brother Scott who died 2 Christmases ago from a heroin overdose. He didn't know how much he loved him until he was gone.

Deborah Young

April 10, 2010 01:07 AM

He knew.

Ablonde

April 10, 2010 01:22 AM

This is the kind of thing I really wish I could write. Thanks.

Kasey Everly

April 10, 2010 01:31 AM

I had a brother who I still miss very much too. This post made me think of him and smile. Thanks for that! Well done. {r}

Eileen Dover

April 10, 2010 01:46 AM

the mood this evokes - fleeting longing, like a wisp of vapor rising from a coffee mug in the air, then gone

Sandra Stephens

April 10, 2010 02:21 AM

Emma, this is so well written. Poignant. So much emotion packed into so few words. It's up in the most rated feed and rightly so. Rated and enjoyed.

the ranting boomer

April 10, 2010 02:21 AM

I'm very pleased that people like this. It was fun to write, but also sad. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. :)

emma peel

April 10, 2010 02:22 AM

Beautiful.

Sparking

April 10, 2010 02:30 AM

This is so nice. I want to make my brother smile too. Sometimes all it takes is Chai Tea. He doesn't drink coffee.

aliciasaxearts

April 10, 2010 03:48 AM

This is so nice. I want to make my brother smile too. Sometimes all it takes is Chai Tea. He doesn't drink coffee.

aliciasaxearts

April 10, 2010 03:48 AM

Exactly wrenching.

AtHomePilgrim

April 10, 2010 05:59 AM

So sweet and beautiful! A very well-chosen 101 words.

Eva T. Made Vaudeville

April 10, 2010 07:23 AM

You've given us quite a lot in 1010 words. Thank you.

Ann Nichols

April 10, 2010 08:13 AM

Very touching. R

Trudge164

April 10, 2010 08:52 AM

Beautifully said. One can't help but wonder why?

Procopius

April 10, 2010 09:17 AM

So much love in so few words.

anna1liese

April 10, 2010 09:20 AM

A precious moment preserved in amber. Thanks for the lingering smile you've given all of us.
Rated.

Zul

April 10, 2010 09:25 AM

Emma, this is lovely. My sister and I grew closer as our mother was dying. It's important to me knowing she's there, and I can call her. There would be a big hole without her. It's my turn to go see her. Thanks for the push.

charliemk

April 10, 2010 09:54 AM

"I look at your picture, so serious and sad" says so much.

ladyslipper

April 10, 2010 10:30 AM

The connections with the living are so fleeting, I'm glad you remembered a good one.

geezerchick

April 10, 2010 11:03 AM

I have known you long enough now to remember your brother. A fine tribute and remembrance.

Dr. Spudman44

April 10, 2010 11:06 AM

Sadly beautiful Emma. A brilliant piece.

Geraint Isitt

April 10, 2010 11:33 AM

Exactly 101 words; exactly spot-on. So much conveyed in so little space.

Boanerges1

April 10, 2010 11:53 AM

So kind and loving and sad._r

Joan H.

April 10, 2010 03:51 PM

runs right through to the end, very pleasantly too

dianaani

April 10, 2010 05:10 PM

Sounds like me and my brother Emma. Well done.

Fay Paxton

April 10, 2010 06:50 PM

a sharp portrait

Kathy Knechtges

April 10, 2010 10:05 PM

Wonderful (and wrenching), Emma. And with this, the exercise becomes art.

Donna Sandstrom

April 10, 2010 10:19 PM

Every time you go "there", your writing voice always shines, even if it breaks hearts along the way.

cartouche

April 10, 2010 11:21 PM

Great memory. You should sit and have a cup 'with him' anyway.

Brown Eyed Girl

April 11, 2010 07:01 AM

Lovely, loving, and sad . . . and a sweet way to honor your brother.

Susan Mihalic

April 11, 2010 02:57 PM

sorry for your loss- a warm image you have in memory.

e. sanders

April 11, 2010 03:53 PM

So very, very much in only 101 words. Love concentrated.

Owl_Says_Who

April 11, 2010 04:01 PM

Great job. So much in so few words.

diary of a food addict

April 11, 2010 05:48 PM

xox

Robin Sneed

April 12, 2010 06:14 PM

gorgeous. i'm sorry i missed this until now.

denverdarling

April 13, 2010 12:07 PM

Having lost a brother, a twin. My only known relative. I would have bought him coffee every hour to make him smile, to keep him here. 101 words are exactly enough to make me cry. And remember.