Broken Heroes

One of a kind. Purveyor of laughter. Never met a stranger. Made the world a better place. It's his birthday today... this brother of mine. He's not here to celebrate, though. He had a really big heart.. and a bigger burden. It finally broke him. And the breaking broke us, too. But on this day, I choose to remember the small-town football star who married his beauty queen and together, they had one perfect little girl. He was teacher and coach, counselor and friend, comedian and Santa Clause - and not just at Christmas. Buckets of regret. Bushels of joy.

Broken, but still my hero. Happy Birthday, Charles. I miss you. Selah.