There were five of us in the family. Michael was the oldest and I came next the only girl. I was stubborn and opinionated with an artist's temperament. Eric was the handsome one whose motto was "what me follow the rules?" Reid came next. Jerry was the spoiled rotten baby.
It is Reid I want to talk about. He wasn't the brainy one in the family. Dad had a high IQ and I inherited his brains with a 180 IQ. Reid was 130. He was average. He had to try and deal with Mike being the favored son, his unpredictable sister, good looking and talented Eric, and of course the pampered baby Jerry.
Reid had artistic talent but didn't use it. He would make model kits and they came out beautiful.
He was married twice. I consider Ruth his first wife as a sister. She eventually came out as lesbian and is happily married to Marilee. I got her and Reid back to talking and they ended up as friends. I won't go into his second wife. Valentines Day should be a time of love. Let's leave it at that.
Reid was an EMT and good at his job. Unfortunately he was also a brittle diabetic and didn't take care of his health.
Reid became good at denying reality. He kept telling me he was fine. You know how they say you can't fool mother nature well that is nothing compared to trying to fool a big sister. I knew he wasn't okay. I convinced him to move from California to live out here in North Carolina with me. I went out to help with the move.
I don't shock easy but my first sight of him called on every ounce of my theater major acting ability. He was 5'5" and under 100 pounds. He looked like a skeleton with skin over it.
I love to cook and plunged into making diabetic and heart healthy foods. I got his weight up to 135. I made him take his insulin every day. His health was never robust because of his neglect but he did have a better life.
Reid was in and out of the hospital constantly during the 12 years he lived with me. I was getting ready to go see him when the hospital called and told me he was dieing. My niece and her husband got me there as fast as they could. Reid was barely conscious and tried to say something around the breathing tube. I told him it was alright and I wouldn't leave him. He nodded and lost consciousness. I held his hand for 8 hours. As medical power of attorney at the 5 hour mark I had them take him off of life support. He couldn't feel it but he knew I held his hand to the last.
Happy Valentines Day Reid. You were always so giving. I hope those 12 years with me taught you that you were loved.
