Five Years Already

August, 2025

Dear Charlie,

As I was reviewing some papers, I came across your last birthday card to me from 2020. The verse was “I’m so lucky to have you as a sister and a friend. Happy Birthday.” Your personal note brought tears to my eyes—”Thank you for everything, especially for your love. We are not lost as long as we are loved. Love, Charlie”

What a beautiful message, Charlie. I agree. We will all face many challenges along the road of life, but as long as we are loved, we will safely make it to the end. Your sudden death reminded me that we never have control over that. People enter and exit our lives, often in sudden ways. When they arrive, it is truly a blessing but when they leave, it is heartbreaking.

I know we are both grateful that our parents taught us the importance of family, kindness, and helping each other. You were always a strong support for me, especially after the sudden death of our mother. My kids adored you and Fred loved your sense of humor.
I am grateful that you welcomed us to your home for our yearly weeklong visit. Living for so long on your own must have made our visits noisy and disruptive, but you always welcomed us with open arms. We thoroughly enjoyed accompanying you to the Cleveland Art Museum, to other museums and to the many parks around Cleveland for our walks in nature.

What joy to watch you play with the kids when they were little. Sara was fascinated by Mom’s paperweight collection. She would set up her “shop” so you could come and “buy” some paperweights. With Alex, the fun was around legos.

As a dedicated book lover, you spent hours visiting bookstores and used book sales at libraries. As you knew us so well, you would spend the year collecting books for each of us. Then at birthdays and for Christmas, we would each receive a whole box of books selected perfectly for our different interests.

Perhaps my favorite part was receiving your poetry. So often your latest would be included in your letter. I am deeply grateful that we exchanged weekly letters and phone calls. I loved opening my mail and finding a beautiful and moving poem inside. I never met anyone else who had that great fortune.

My favorite wedding gift was the poem that you penned for our wedding, then had it written in caligraphy and framed. It has hung these 47 years in our kitchen. What makes me especially happy is that Alex will read it at Sara’s wedding. It will help me feel your presence. I know that you, Mom and Dad will all be there watching.

Thank you, Charlie, for being such a great and loving brother. I have dearly missed you but I could not have asked for a better sibling!!!

Love,
Helen