1.  Philip.  

Philip

The new school year (2016-17) began a week ago and I was standing on my step ladder in my classroom leaning against the front wall, arms stretched up high rolling and stapling bulletin board paper.  It was seven years ago that I was doing the same thing, when God took you away.   I'll never forget.  It was such a sad day.  I cried so hard...and still get teary eyed now just at the recall.



But, happy thoughts of you Philip always step in immediately  like a bright sunny day after a storm replacing streaming tears from my eyes with sounds of your joyous contagious laughter to my ears.  I'll never forget how you cackled and how you'd throw your head back. hold your sides then sigh "Oh, boy."   I remember it well.  



Then, there were the hours on end when we would:  read and talk, snack and debate, talk and laugh at the table, I'd nod on the couch and you'd sleep in your favorite chair, then we'd awaken and talk some more--my brother, my friend.  

Thoughts of those moments and conversations bring me comfort and cheer even now in missing you.   

So, today I just wanted you to know, I still miss you Philip.



You little sister



Resa  : ) 

A teacher with a teacher.  

Hey Big Brother!

Missing you still, Philip.

I am really glad we shared so much time, not only as children but also as adults. Now, with grandchildren, flash backs of those youthful moments occur often. Just the other day, I was sharing with Dion how you challenged me in almost anything! For example, memorizing poems like “Paul Revere’s Ride” and “The Night Before Christmas”, spelling words from the Reader’s Digest, jumping rope or the hedges in the front yard. I remember one of our favorite things to do when we were about 7 or 8 year olds was shading all the o’s in the Childcraft Books. We would alternate the lines, and then count the number of o’s darkened in. Whoever had the most o’s won. Fun? Yeah, we thought so.

You, like all my brothers, helped make me who I am. Throughout the whole school year, I find myself thinking of you so-o-o often. Oh! I was a Master Teacher for the State of Maryland’s Effective Educators Academies in three counties this summer! (One of 2300 applicants. Can you believe that!) Anyway, during a session I asked the participants “How high will a rabbit jump if placed in an open top box?” You called me and posed that question once then said “when you figure it out call me back?”* I recall many days went by…I never did figure it out.

School starts tomorrow (or later this morning). Dion took picture after completing the SGA bulletin board.  Maybe he'll be like you taking pictures of every occasion.  I use you as a role model for him—for basketball player, a musician, a public speaker, a singer, a teacher...a big brother. The list seems endless.

Warren, Dallas, Bobby and Wallace tell me I talk a lot, so I’ll stop here. (You never said that) I miss you and I’m glad Kamala set this up so we never ever will forget.

(*The answer you gave was “High enough to get out.)

I'll write more later.  It's the best I can do.