This is my brother Rob. He died of AIDS on September 10th nine years ago. He was one of the finest people I've ever known. He was loving, kind, and hilariously funny! Those of you who knew him know I'm tellin the truth! He really knew how to make people laugh. He brought joy to all who knew him and broke the barriers of homophobia continually because to know him was to love him. It was just that simple.Rob died the same year Jake was born when Jake was 6 months old. Jake is named for him... Jacob Robert McLaughlin. Rob was very proud of his name-sake and I consider it such a blessing that he got to hold his nephew and know him if only for a short time. The second picture here is of Rob and Jake when Jake was probably only a month old. Sarah never got to meet him of course, but she often says that she misses her Uncle Rob, and so does Jake. We talk about him quite a bit... he
lps to keep him alive in our hearts and helps Sarah to know her Uncle. I miss you my sweet brother.
lps to keep him alive in our hearts and helps Sarah to know her Uncle. I miss you my sweet brother.
5 comments:
Well said, sweet girl. Rob will always be with us, no matter how long he has been gone physically.
Love you - Mom
Thanks, Melissa, for sharing this. As I sat here reading this, so many memories flooded me and the tears came. Even though we don't talk about it much, Rob is still so much a part of our family - the void will never be filled. I'm so grateful for our boys knowing him and for all of us loving him so much just for who he was - nothing more, nothing less.
Love you,
Kathy
I have to add to your mom and Kathy, Rob was wonderful. I mean, he was like a big brother to me. I remember we would get along (you and I) with him and then be mad at him. We would play in his room, it was like it should be. I am so sorry you had to lose your brother and that your mom should lose a son. God blessed you with him, not for long enough, but he was a blessing. I bet he is looking down now thinking it is so sweet. I can just hear him....
I know Rob is celebrating your birthday right now, probably singing karaoke.
Happy Birthday to my sweet, beautiful wonderful bride! I love you. -GIJ
I'm totally crying right now...what a special picture of him holding Jake. I could totally flash back to that time like it was yesterday. Rob was such an awesome man. I too remember all the fun times we had with him...he was such a comedian! He will never be forgotten.
Love,
Cin
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