One act, one choice does not define a life. So please choose to remember the good times you shared with Anthony and allow those memories to fill your thoughts and not the events that led us to be here today.

I choose to remember him being the little brother I never wanted – he took my spot as mommy’s baby so I had devious plans to put him in the garbage can or the glove box….which he reminded me about often as we grew up. 

…And I choose remember that he always wanted to follow me around and ‘play’ with my stuff.  My Barbies rarely survived his GI Joe and Heman adventures….

…And I choose to remember the time I was supposed to be watching him and he locked me out of the house and then destroyed the living room… long story…it involved a poopy diaper…boy did I get in trouble for that!  

…And I choose to remember dressing him up as a girl  (there are pictures somewhere)…

But over the years growing up, he became more of a friend than my annoying little brother… so I choose to remember all of the times we used to deliver newspapers and talk about all the stuff we were going to do when we grew up and would buy donuts with the tip money (and made a pact not to tell mom)

…And I choose to remember all of the times we would walk to Seneca park to go swimming all day

…And I choose to remember all the days spent ridding our bikes or roller blading around the neighborhood

…And I choose to remember all of the times we used to go to the movies (and ‘sneak’ in to see a second or third one)

…And I choose to remember all of the funny faces or sarcastic jokes he used to make 

…And I choose to remember what a nerd he grew into with all his computer parts and lingo…I would often just pretend I knew what he was talking about

…And I choose to remember how happy he was when he talked about his Nanna… I know he secretly loved Elmo and Frozen no matter what he claimed

…And I choose to remember all of the other good things and you should do the same.  Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to understand what led us to be here.  Don’t blame yourself or others for what is done or torment yourself with ‘what-ifs’. Just promise to remember all of the good times you shared with Anthony and stay in touch with family and friends. Really stay in touch so you know if and when they need extra help or a push to get through tough times or know that they will be there for you if you need the help. 

RIP Anthony… love your ‘sis’