Bob .....

 

I am now more than ever deeply puzzled with my relationship with my Brother. Bob , is about 19 months Younger than I am . I don't think he realizes it , but most often in person I refer to Him as the successful brother . Since College He has had a distinguished career helping others , building communities , and sewing into peaceful resolutions in a complex and threatening world . He has probably Logged more miles than Santa Claus . Traveling to Europe , Africa , Japan , Asia , Australia . Bob Gets around .

He is incredibly passionate about his calling and from what I see extremely well respected .

Not long ago I really started thinking about our relationship. It began innocently enough I was telling Lori about some of the people who in my life time that God hd brought into my life to walk with me for a time and grow me . People who influenced me and encouraged me . My Brother Bob was not on that list .

I find that troubling and interesting. I keep thinking that this is not because we had a troubled relationship ..apart from using him in several science experiments , harnessing him to my war wagon , and stealing his Accordion for Food money .... there was very little tension between us .

Well some .

But it just seems that at an early age we simply drifted apart in our interests and our goals . in the Area of Goals it seemed as if Bob had them and I didn't .

Here again memory may be clouded by fantasy ...but it is my belief that Bob followed me into many areas because I had already occupied them . Play , Little league , Science , Demolay .

I wasn't a very good Brother . I suspect I was envious of any attention he would receive . as if my parents might be forced to divide and thus dilute their attention on us .

He often walked alone to school , and returned the same way . In our Neighbourhood play I don't believe we excluded Bob , but also don't think He was encouraged to participate .

As we grew older I would move from territory to territory , one hobby after another . none interests after another , Bob began to fully occupy territory . I had been asked to Join the Seventh and eight grade Science class when I was in the 5th Grade . I believe Bob had the same honour , but where i succeeded in almost burning down the Science Lab . He used his interest in Science to launch Himself into the world of the New Oregon Museum of Science and Industry ( OMSI ) ..and ultimately this lead to a life time of Community and World service .

By the time Bob graduated from High School , He was receiving full scholarship offers from some of the most influential Colleges in the Nation. His College years took Him into for a year of Study , perhaps one of the most significant Ebenezzers of His Journey in Japan .

I remember one cool and rainy day on the National Guard Firing range in Clackamas Oregon. The Science class had brought their home made rockets to the range . MY rocket was unique I had developed a new method of attaching the fins to the rocket , in hopes of having the fins not melt off and thus making the rocket in flight uncontrollable , I had also placed several ounces of gun powder in the nose cone of the Rocket to give it that " something special " . When it came my turn the Rocket shining on the launch pad began to raise , then the flaw in the design became apparent , the fuel had not been able to pack it self uniformly , the rocket sputtered , landing on its side then it began to careen down the Firing range bouncing off anything in its way , finally the whole disaster ended in a thunderous explosion as the Gun powder at least did its Job.

Bobs rocket by comparison was quite pedestrian , but it was excellently crafted , the fuel was perfectly packed and the rocket raised from the earth that had it bound and arched gracefully , higher and higher till it could be barely seen .

Bob and I have spent most of our lives now in our separate orbits , his a dazzling ride that has taken him across the earth . in service to thousands ..his influence has certainly stretched to millions . A profound legacy of commitment. We talk infrequently , usually at one birthday or another ..

We have both married and we both have one Daughter each who each of us adores . I don't know where we will ultimately land , but I now in the understanding that praise and encouragement can never be exhausted. I wish I would have paid more attention to Bob's life . There was much to be learned there .