Christmas Day 2009 (My brother Steve)

Christmas Day 2009 (My brother Steve) Dec 25, 2009 Post a comment I spoke with my brother Steve today. He must be one of the most intelligent people I know. But alas, he is a lost soul which is probably why he is so insightful He is a philosopher. If he had a job, this would rob him of his time to think, to read, to explore. So which of us is really lost? By the worlds standards, it would be he. You see, he is an alcoholic, a heroin addict and an ex-con and has AIDS. He does not leave his home really. He is almost a recluse. To go out in public is subjecting himself to harms way. He is the person that the police would stop and harass just because of the way he looks or because of his demeanor. He cannot afford cable so therefore has no TV. He does not have a computer (it's broken and he can't afford to get it fixed) so therefore he reads. And he reads alot. The Bible, history books and he is an expert on it all. And he calls himself "eclectic". He prays like a Christian, he thinks like a Hindu and lives like a Budhist. I wished him Merry Christmas today and he told me how much he hates Christmas. He told me that he has had better Christmases in prison. He gets a hot meal, he is surrounded by others and they sing carols. He told me all he got for Christmas this year was an eviction notice and a cold. He is sick and he sounded so tired. Then he expounded on the statement we hear so much this time of year "the reason for the season" and that it really should be the "spirit of the season". I do not believe I can ever send out a Christmas card again that says the "reason for the season". It is the spirit of the season that should be enjoyed. Family, friends, making memories. Not all he rush of buying, attending parties, go go go rush rush rush (this is how I live my life!) I wish I could remember every thing he said but it boiled down to this: That Jesus was really born closer to the summer, hence the reason the shepherds were out watching their flocks by night. And that the 3 wise men actually showed up two years later. And he knows all about the history of Santa Claus (Dutch,Sinter Klaus) and talked about the Yule Log (part of the winter soltice). He sounded so tired. Tired of fighting his life, tired of the system, ready to go. I have not heard him sound like this before. Do I talk to him that often? No, twice a year. I am commiting to myself that I will call him more often. I am one who allows myself to let the busy-ness of my life get in the way of my relationsips. But I won't go into that now, that's a whole blog in and of itself (running away from depression? I think I have written a bit about that previously). Heres to you Steve, Merry Christmas and I really do wish you a better and happier New Year. It's the spirit of the season..................