This has been a rough week. My not-by-blood brother, Paul, passed away, and while it wasn't entirely unexpected, it doesn't make it any easier.
Paul's mom, Patti, was my babysitter from age two until I got my license and could drive home. They were my second family and their sons, Paul and Harry, my big brothers. Paul was always the really annoying older brother, the one who would torment me. He had the quickest fingers- he could lick them and stick them in my ears or wipe them on my glasses before I could even think. He would tickle me and tackle me and bug the hell out of me and I loved every minute of it. He was my family and my oldest brother. He could always make me laugh and I will miss him more than I can even express. The only saving grace is that I know that he is finally at peace, fishing to heart's content with no pain.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are
crushed in spirit