Tribute to Frank
Of all the people I've ever met, Frank was my favourite person. He had the amazing ability to always lift my spirits when I was feeling down - and if I was already in a good mood, he could lift me so much higher.
Frank had a wonderful sense of humour, which I loved. I also loved the fact that he truly thought of me as funny. When other people would think of me as really strange, he'd crack up at my remarks. And no one could make me feel more comfortable with myself than Frank could.
Of course, he was my brother, and I was therefore obligated to hate his guts from time to time. But he had the spirit of a young puppy, and no one could stay mad at him for long.
There are a lot of people in this world who've never met Frank, yet know all about his charm, his character, and his personality. I just couldn't stop talking about him. Frank was and always will be my favourite subject of conversation.
Frank certainly had his favourite subjects of conversation also. There was a time when Frank could speak of nothing but airplanes - specifically the AirCanada airline. And there was a time, when everyone who
Frank met, walked away being a Ken Baumgartner fan, even though they'd never seen a game of hockey.
Being his older sister, I found myself feeling responsible to give Frank advice on how to live his life....as though I'm some sort of expert on it....certainly I'm finding that I'm learning more from him now. He obligated himself to making time for those things he truly enjoyed. If Frank wanted to go fishing, but dad wanted him to work, Frank would usually end up going fishing (not wanting to imply that he didn't enjoy his work). And if he wanted to own a lot of guitars, by golly, then he made sure he'd own a lot of guitars.
Of course, he also had a very strong love for his family and friends, and could find it in his heart to forgive just about anyone for just about anything.
I will miss receiving his e-mails, but I'll be damned if I'll stop sending mail to him.
I shall miss having the title of "sister". I was very honoured being his.
I will miss the time we'll never have together. I pictured us in our 80's, getting together on weekends, sitting in our rocking chairs, smacking our gums and exchanging jokes and making fun of, well, everything.
I regret that I never went fishing with him on his boat.
I regret not having listened to him play guitar more often.
I have regrets too numerous to mention.
And I have been privileged to have been part of his life the 24 1/2 years that he lived.
And I am glad I told him just how much I loved him just days before Frank's death, since it was the single best thing I've done in my life.
And I admired his ability to stand up straight even though he was so tall.