I've been thinking a lot about Brian over the course of the last couple of months. A band will come on the radio whose concert we saw, I'll see a movie on the guide channel that we watched, or drive by a place we frequented. Though we drifted apart the last couple of years, we hung out a lot when I first moved back here from Arizona.

I met him through my brother Ryan. They were close friends. The three of us started hanging out together on weekends, because I really didn't know that many people here. It wasn't long before Brian and I became good friends too. Him and I started hanging out more than the three of us. One of the things I liked most about Brian was that he was easy to talk to. He had a great sense of humor and was easy to connect with. There were so many nights after concerts that we'd just hang out at his place, have a drink, watch a movie (mostly The Big Lebowski), and just talk. With Brian, you could talk about the things that mattered most in life. Things you don't normally talk about in social situations. Family, faith, aspirations, things like that. 

There's a lot of individual instances I remember. The time he came with me to Arizona, and rode back in the U-Haul, just so I didn't have to drive alone. The times we saw Sevendust. The times at Summerfest. All the times I'd go meet him at his bowling league so we could go hang out after. But those times we sat around just hanging out talking are the times I remember best. The times I'll miss the most. I'm so thankful I got the chance to get to know him. My life is better for him having been in it. I will always miss him.

if you know Brian, you know he loves playing a good joke on someone. so all the better when you could pull one on him.
We would have him stay at our place on the weekends after we got married. We had rented a documentary about a little rock band that we thought Brian might like, a band called Aerosmith (hard to make sarcasm work in print), and he was excited to see it. It gave the backstory on a number of songs, videos and tours after their resurgence in the late 80's.
One song in particular from the doc sticks in my mind. The opening had a woman speaking, like she was an elevator operator telling you what was on each floor. If you know Aerosmith, you know the song, so I won't tell you because Brian would be disappointed in you if you haven't guessed it with that clue. Anyway, the woman had a very smooth and silky voice, and I can only imagine the image Brian had conjured of her in his mind. Patty told him that you got to see what she looked like in the video, and Brian quickly asked if she was hot, to which Patty said yes. Bear in mind Patty and I had already watched it, and the woman, while endowed with a great voice, was ordinary in all other respects.
So the two of us sat there watching him, anticipating the moment when it would be revealed.
The look on his face when he realized the truth and that Patty had got him to gulp that hook, line and sinker was hilarious. I'm sure he repaid her with a horse bite behind the knee for that one.
It was a simple moment, but sometimes, if you had the power, those are the ones you'd like to go back and relive. Good times...

Someone once said that when laughter is shared it binds people together. It gives respite from sadness and pain. It helps to keep one motivated during depression and grieving times. 

There were humorous moments when Brian really made me laugh. Like when he would act irritated with his sister Patty because she liked to follow him around with a video camera and he would make remarks in an attempt to embarrass her in return. I especially laughed at one instance when there were a flock of geese honking above out of camera view and Brian said: "that's a goose, Patty!" as though without that revelation she wouldn't have had a clue!

By the way, I never had the opportunity to meet Brian. I've heard many accounts and saw videos that continue to make me laugh. I've learned about Brian's gift of humor that he has left for many to remember, enjoy and share the laughter. A wonderful gift that serves to bind together family, friends and all those that miss him.

"Brian had quite the sense of humor. My little sisters were in the same grade and they said he was the class clown. Everyone wanted to hang around with him-he was so fun! They told me how in gym class he would pull his green sweat pants over his shoes to look like "Gumby" and that it was hilarious especially since he was so tall and slim.

I miss my favorite best friend.

Yesterday we missed you, Brian, cutting wood (or just crying over the pretty wood,lol) at your mom's! Miss you so much, I love you!

Brian was the best brother I could've ever had. There is not enough space here to tell you how I feel about him and how big the hole is in my heart now that he is not with us. He was the funniest person I've ever known. He could make anything funny. And at the same time he had a kind tender heart. Brian and I could be standing in our mom's kitchen and out of the blue he would hold my hand. Just hold it--no reason. Often times he would kiss my hand and smile at me. He was so sweet and soft hearted. We always said "I love you" before ending a conversation on the phone. Every time.  I will hold him in my heart and mind for the rest of my life. Brian, I miss you and love you so much!
-Patty