My big brother Gregg, you were born on November 18, 1969 and this special day has so many meanings.  First, we share the number 18 because we were both born on the 18th of the month. Second, 18 is Chai in Hebrew and this means life and if the number 18 was appropriate for anyone it was you.  You knew how to live life to the extreme. 

 

Gregg, remember how I always looked up to you.  I was so proud to say that I had a brother and to tell everyone all that you accomplished. You tried Supreme Court cases, ran marathons, and even completed 2 ironmans by yourself and one with our father.

 

Gregg, I always looked up to you as an inspirational role model.  Gregg, you were able to meet your challenges head on and win. I saw you as my mentor and hero.  I had to be a member of the Honor Society in High School like you were, go to the same college at Binghamton University like you did, study abroad the exact same semester that you did at Tel Aviv University in Israel.  I ran the New York City Marathon because you did three times, and I even tried to become a lawyer because you were a lawyer.

 

I always turned to you for motivational talks.  You had a knack of putting all of my problems into perspective and of course always making me laugh.  Boy did you have a sense of humor.  You could always come home and make our worried mom laugh and finally relax.  You knew how to just light up any room in our house.  You had a way of coming home and just making us feel superior and special.

 

Not only did you help your family and me but you helped your friends.  You had a special way of helping friends find direction in their life.  You helped elicit laughter and joy from people, even at the most serious of times.  You traveled to so many places all over the world. Nothing held you back from anything that the world brought you.

 

It was so important for you to be at my wedding. You flew in all the way from Ethiopia, and even though it was a great challenge to be there, you were able to make it for my most special day. I want you to know how much this means to me. I clearly remember you saying on our wedding video that “you would have done anything in the world to be there and that nothing could have kept you away”

 

I am so pleased that you got to meet my husband Ron and his wonderful family from Florida. It is amazing how you and Ron, his twin sister Chava share the same birthday November 18th.  This day will always be a bittersweet day.  Although this will always be a difficult day, I will remember all of your special qualities. I will continue to use your morals, virtues and strength as a motivation for myself.

 

Today, Gregg in your honor Mom, Maura, Rachel and I are wearing flip flops. We knew how you loved your flip flops and comfortable clothing.  Now our feet are open and free like your soul and spirit.

 

I love you Gregg and I know that you are watching over me.  Please stay with me through the rest of my life.  I need you my big brother to be there.  May you be instilled in our hearts forever.