On this date, in 1993, my little brother Brandon Joseph Achtman died.
Sometimes I remember being held by my father as I kissed Brandon’s cold forehead before helping to close his tiny casket.
Continue readingOn this date, in 1993, my little brother Brandon Joseph Achtman died.
Sometimes I remember being held by my father as I kissed Brandon’s cold forehead before helping to close his tiny casket.
Continue readingToday marks the first anniversary of the death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.
Much has been said and written about the faith of the family, and there is something that I find remarkably demonstrative of that faith in the speech Vanessa Bryant delivered at a memorial.
In her 20-minute speech about her husband and daughter, Vanessa Bryant alternated, in a subtle way that seemed very deliberate, sincere, and full of faith, between speaking in the past and present tense.
Continue readingWhen I was ten years old and my maternal grandfather passed away, my family asked me to deliver some impromptu remarks.
I had completely forgotten about this until my parents sent me a video of my one-minute speech.
Continue reading