“It’s about to be Halloween/you could be anything you
wanted/if you were still here” – Ronan by Taylor Swift.
It’s almost been ten years since I last heard my brother’s
voice. January 22, 2022 will mark ten
years since Joe’s passing. This time of year brings floods of memories with Joe.
Memories of him dressed up as his favorite superhero at Halloween, memories of
him and I trick or treating in our neighborhood, and memories of him planning
for the next Holiday. Joe would always say “and then” until we got to the next
Holiday being Christmas or his birthday - Joe LOVED presents! While his constant “and then” interrogation
would drive us crazy, there’s nothing my family and I wouldn’t give anything to
hear him say those words again.