Eulogy for a Brother

Today is a really hard day for me because I feel like I have lost my best friend and my protector. My brother would always stand up for his family and he would always keep me safe no matter what. He wasn’t selfish, he looked out for us and we loved him more for it. Jake always knew how to make us laugh when we were sad. He was always livening up the room with his quick wit and great sense of humor. I remember I was upset about someone teasing me at school and he put on a full routine complete with a pretend microphone to make me smile. I will miss Jake’s smile the most. He would laugh right along with you, he loved to laugh. I think that there is something to say about someone who didn’t feel like everything needed to be taken so seriously.

There were so many things Jake was good at. I think the entire cheerleading squad and girls in the stands swooned when he ran out on the field. He was a loyal friend who would go to bat for the people he loved. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for someone he cared about and that was one of his many amazing qualities. Aside from loving to make you laugh he also loved to cook for you. He was funny as he talked through all the things he was doing in the kitchen to prepare the meal and sprinkling in some of his mojo. I am going to miss how his eyes crinkled when he got serious or needed to give you really good advice. We can’t really understand why he was taken away from us, and I thought about this all night because I want to know why someone so bright and happy is no longer here with us. My brother was very bright, kind, giving, and special to everyone here. I know we all have great memories of times he made us laugh, or helped us. I think these are the best things to remember about him.

Today the sun shines through the range as we picture his sweet smiling face among the angels, no longer in pain. It is those left behind that must deal with the pain and loss we feel and while they are considerable, we can take comfort in knowing that he is where he is supposed to be, and one day we will see him again. When we remember what a fun person Jake was we can’t help but smile, and as much as I am hurting today I know he is in a better place. I want us all to remember to laugh and smile, and have fun every day, because we only get one life, and if we learned anything from my brother, we learned to enjoy our lives all the time because we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. I love you Jake, and thank you for all being here to celebrate my wonderful brother’s full life.