Category: Brothers

Brothers, Life Lessons

A Message From Will

Dorothy Johnson

The Boys

Today is my brother Will’s birthday. If he were still with us he would be 73, but in our hearts he will be forever young. I think I heard him say something to us yesterday.

REMEMBER

Remember me, but don’t be sad. Why not

Look back on the good times we had?

Recall the day we hiked to the bluffs, or

Carefree moments of childhood stuff like

Skipping rocks on the river and taking a swim,

Climbing the big tree with Judy and Jim.

Consider the nights we cruised the court square then

Back to the Delight to see who was there.

Choose moments of laughter, the best memories and

You may hear me whisper in the rustling leaves, or

Catch my wink in a firefly’s flickering light or in the

Big Dipper. Keep the North Star in sight.

Don’t think of boundaries or beginning and end, for

One day you’ll step through a curtain ever so thin

Where I will be waiting and it will be clear

I didn’t desert you but always was near.

Until then, live with abandon. I hope you’ll be free,

Just promise to smile when you think of me.

Brothers, Family History, Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2014

Dorothy Johnson

Captain Wilbur (Will) Dale Latimer
May 23, 1944 – January 19, 1971

Today is set aside for us to remember those who died in service to our country. If you are at all acquainted with me, you know my brother, Captain Wilbur (Will) Dale Latimer, is among that number. He died in the Vietnam War on January 19, 1971.

Ours was not a solitary experience, and like scores or others, we managed to adjust to our loss. Life goes on, as they say, which is probably what saved us from our grief. But our family was never the same after his death. Everytime I hear or read about the death of a service man or woman, I’m reminded of empty places at the holiday table, a listening ear no longer there, the absence of laughter and fun.

I believe I will see my fine brother again someday. Until that time, I will remember the good times we shared while he was here. Instead spending the day in tears and depression, I am looking back at the gift Will was to us.

If you know someone who’s lost a loved one in war, give them a call, drop them a line. Tell them you remember and you are grateful for their courage and sacrifice.

God bless America!

The rainbow comes and goes, and lovely is the rose; the moon doth with delight look around her when the heavens are bare, waters on a starry night are beautiful and fair; the sunshine is a glorious birth; but yet I know, where’er I go, that there hath past away a glory from the earth. William Wordsworth

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Ps. 116:15