19 November 1991....20 years ago, a knock on the door by an official changed our lives forever.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of my brother’s death. Looking back, it’s surreal to believe two whole decades have passed since we said goodbye, in the literal sense … a telephone conversation ending with ‘bye and I love you’.
He came home for that weekend - army pass. Earlier that week, just turned 18 on the 15 November. So it was a definite cause for celebration and how quickly the time passed. Before we knew it, it was Sunday evening and he was jumping on a plane again back to Upington and calling us to say he’d arrived safe and I love you and good bye. Who knew several hours later he would take his last breath.
20 years later and the memories are still fresh in my mind. Everything is as clear today as it was back then. I remember his cheeky smile and mischievous personality. I remember the house sounding like a heavy metal concert every day. How the neighbours never complained, I don’t know. For all his faults and being a typical difficult teenager, Bobby had a beautiful side too and caring (when he thought no one was looking). A protective nature, wonderfully artistic and so full of life. For those who knew Bobby, would know that he lived every day with conviction. There was always some new adventure, some catastrophe, or some incident, good and bad. Yes, life with Bobby was never dull to say the least.
Every so often I’ll wonder what it would have been like to have an older brother (38 this year). What he would have gone on to accomplish in his life. Maybe nothing, or maybe something so outstanding. Would I have had nieces and nephews ... so many questions to ponder and will never have answers to.
This I do know. I am grateful for the few years we had together. Albeit, some of them were spent in shouting matches that left you exhausted afterwards. But I guess that's what siblings do. At the end of the day I knew I always had a brother there to protect me, love me and be there when I needed him.
… Bobby, you’ll live forever in my heart and never far from my thoughts. I love you always.
A little flashback. At the time this one was one his favourite bands, Guns 'n Roses. I recall vividly, when my mom wasn't around, he's blast us out of the house with music and there was no asking him to turn it down, even slightly. Although secretly I didn't mind too much. but I'd never admit that to him :) However when he played Anthrax, now that was when I was quite willing to throttle him.
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