Tag: Brother

Day 15: 2026 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday’s challenge was about health, and I’d call it a partial success. I tried to eat better and came close to my goal of 25,000 steps. I probably should have made time to meditate, too. Health is an ongoing project, and apparently so am I.

Today I’m changing direction. For the next few days, I’m going to focus on family, starting with brothers. I picked today for a reason.

My brother Jeff would have turned 66 today. That number matters to me because 66 is how old my father was when he died. Jeff passed away in 2020, and I’ve written about him many times on this blog.

I grew up with two brothers in my adoptive family, Jeff and Matt. Later in life, I learned that I also have two biological brothers. That’s a different and complicated story, but one I’m grateful for. They’re my brothers, too, and the circumstances of how we came into each other’s lives don’t make those relationships any less important.

Jeff and Matt each got a little too much DNA on their ninth chromosome, resulting in physical and intellectual disabilities. At first glance, you might look at them and think about how limited their lives must be. At second glance, you realize how much they have to teach us about gratitude. They don’t spend their lives worrying about what others have that they don’t. They’re simply happy with what they have.

Neither would have been particularly troubled when Outlook stopped working Thursday or the airlines were grounded Friday. A football game starting late wouldn’t have mattered. Give them a comfortable place to live, something to eat, clothes to wear, and some good music, and life was pretty good. There’s something to be learned from that.

I’ve spent two weeks working at gratitude. They never needed the practice.

I miss Jeff, but I’m grateful I got to be his brother. And I’m grateful for Matt and for the two brothers I came to know later in life. Family doesn’t always come together in the ways we expect, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful.

Tonight, take a few minutes to journal about the brothers in your life and what you’re grateful for. If you don’t have brothers, think about someone who has taught you something about appreciating what you have. What can you learn from them?

Day 23 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday, a friend sent me several pictures of my brothers that I had never seen before. I posted one on social media and attached another to this post. I’ve written about my brothers previously, as they have impacted my life immeasurably.

Since it is the weekend, I will keep this simple. I am grateful for my brothers.

Day 15 Gratitude Challenge

Death is inevitable. It leaves a trail of sorrow for those left behind. There are so many unanswered questions. Yet, one thing is certain . My brother is dead. We buried his remains today. Jason Harris

I wrote the quote above just over four years ago on the day I buried my oldest brother, Jeff. I vividly remember writing those words and can still feel the pain, anger, sadness, and confusion I experienced. I will always remember. I don’t believe you ever forget the pain of losing someone you love so deeply.

The five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are commonly understood as a sequential journey, often thought to unfold in a specific order. However, since the loss of my brother, I’ve found myself navigating these stages in various sequences and sometimes experiencing them all in one day. Most days, I come to a place of acceptance, though it’s a difficult journey, and I embrace that feeling as best as I can, knowing it’s a part of the healing process. Yet, I often wonder: is it truly possible to fully heal from such a profound loss?

Today marks several significant events. It’s the 15th day of the gratitude challenge, which means we’ve reached the halfway mark. It’s also 10 days past the election. Most importantly, today is my brother’s birthday; he would have been 64.

Today’s challenge invites us to transform a negative experience into a positive reflection. Let’s take a moment to think about those who are no longer with us. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions, and acknowledging the impact they had on our lives is important. We can hold on to the gratitude for the moments we shared with them, cherishing their memory. Although we may not be able to thank them directly, we can honor their legacy and the positive influence they brought into our lives. This act of remembrance allows us to celebrate the love and lessons they imparted, keeping their spirit alive in our hearts.

4 Years

As I post this, I will be on a reflective walk to remember a difficult time.

This is a story that many people have heard before. It all started on September 4, 2020, when my oldest brother tested positive for the Covid19 virus. This was a time when there were no known effective treatments or vaccines available. He had to isolate himself until he was no longer showing any symptoms. According to common wisdom, if you could make it through 11 days from the diagnosis without experiencing major symptoms, chances were that you would be fine. September 15 would be Day 11.

For the most part, I received good reports about my brother: oxygen levels were good, temperature was mostly good, and no breathing problems. I remained cautiously optimistic. We just needed to get to day 11.

On the afternoon of September 14th, I received a report that my brother was feeling a bit agitated and had a slight fever. He was given something to help reduce his temperature. I was disappointed he still had a slight fever as I wanted all symptoms gone. Unfortunately, this would be the last report I received.

At approximately 2:00 am, I was awoken by the sound of the doorbell and my dog’s barking. When I opened the door, I was met by a local police officer who delivered the unfortunate news that my brother had passed away in his sleep. Regrettably, he became the 200th person in South Dakota to succumb to COVID-19.

It’s been four years since this happened. This day brings up a lot of emotions, but most of all, I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. I mourn the fact that my brother spent the last 10 days of his life in isolation. I grieve for the many who lost their lives to this virus. It’s heartbreaking that a virus became a tool for political gain. But above all, I miss my brother dearly. Although I didn’t visit him as often as I should have, he was always in my thoughts.

Day 25 Beautiful Things

If you have known me for a while, you know that I am obsessed with taking at least 10,000 steps every day. My streak is 1627 consecutive days with at least 10,000 steps, or 4 years, 5 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days. It’s an impressive achievement, and while someday it will end, for now, it is a beautiful testament to dedication and perseverance.

Enough about me. The most beautiful sight today was seeing pictures of my brother at a local county fair. Witnessing the joy of those you love is, perhaps, the most beautiful thing in the world.