A Brother's Love

A Brother's Love
by Mark Rogers
Sept 5, 2004

The other day, Cameron and I noticed the beautiful mums for sale at Harvest Market. We decided Mommy needed some. So, yesterday I bought two planters of mums--one yellow and one rust.

Today (Sept. 5), Bev and Corbin joined Cameron and me as we drove out to Annie's grave with the mums. Just as we arrived, Bev said, "Oh, look! Someone has put a birdhouse in Annie's tree."

"Not someone," I replied. "Terry did that. I just know he did. He had mentioned a few days ago that he wanted to hang a birdhouse for Annie on her tree. And he apparently has."

"Isn't it pretty?" remarked Bev.

"It's just perfect," I said. And it is. It's a little yellow birdhouse with green and rust trim. It hangs on the branch just above Annie.

Terry has always been a wonderful big brother to Annie. But this big brother's love for his baby sister has been particularly beautiful to behold this summer. During June, while I was teaching summer school, Terry (and Kay) drove Annie to Noblesville every day for her radiation treatments. And neither Terry nor Kay wanted to take any money for doing it.

When Annie went into the hospital this past July, Terry and Kay were right there. During one visit, Terry placed his hand on Annie and prayed over her. I can't describe the beauty of the scene, but I was quite moved by it. I know that God was there. Such peace came to me while Terry prayed.

Terry also brought a vase of roses from his garden to Annie. Two of the roses were yellow, and Annie was at peace only when she could see the two yellow roses. (Bev and I made the mistake of turning the vase once. Though difficult for her to talk, Annie soon communicated very strongly to us that she wanted her vase placed so she could see those two yellow roses.)

I can't remember which hospital visit it was, but Terry came wearing a white cap with "USA" printed on it. Being the gentleman that he is, Terry removed his cap as he entered the building. And when he came through the door of Annie's room, Annie immediately spotted the cap and exclaimed, "Oh, you've brought me a new hat!"

"Yes, I did," Terry replied. And without hesitation, he handed over his cap to his little bald sister. And he left the cap with her and never asked for it back. Annie proudly kept the cap displayed on her hospital table.

Annie always felt safe and loved when her big brother was around. And so it was no wonder that during her final hours, she called out to "Bud" as plainly as ever.

At Annie's funeral, Terry stood up and delivered a beautiful eulogy that honored his sister. He ended with, "I loved my baby sister."

Didn't he though! And he still does. The birdhouse is the latest testimony to a brother's love.

Before I end, I have to mention that July 28 is Terry's birthday. The boys and I wanted to make sure that Uncle Terry received a birthday bag of goodies this year. Included in the bag was a certain
white "USA" cap that Annie was so proud to own.

Wear it in good health, Terry!