I wrote just last week about my Dad passing away. Today, with a heavy heart, I now write about the loss of my oldest brother, Bishop Bobby Stephen Brackett, who went to be with his Lord on April 16, 2007, only six days after my Dad passed away. Bobby was a quiet compassionate man. He always had a smile on his face. No matter what the circumstances were he always somehow managed to flash his smile. I can still see him singing at Dad's funeral. He was trying with all his might to hold himself together to sing Dad's favorite song, but even then he got a smile out.

I see him coming home from the military when I was just a little girl. I went running out the door and jumped into his arms yelling "Bobby's home!", "Bobby's home!" I know one thing for sure. On April 16^th the angel's were singing "Bobby's home!", "Bobby's home!", just like I did when I was a little girl. His journey on earth was over, and in just six short days of losing his Dad he was reunited with him in heaven.

I'm thankful for the memories I have of you Bobby. Because of you and David I still love the 60's music. I can still hear you singing "The Battle of New Orleans". Thank you for the hugs, the I love yous, and even the times you scolded me for being foolish. I'm going to miss the emails, the occasional phone calls, and of course, seeing you in person. Most of all though I'm going to miss your smile.

In one our last conversations, Bobby told me he always reads my ministry columns. He even laughed and said, "I get some great material from you". I had recently written one on "Trust ". He said he really needed to read that one because of some things he had been going through. And as we were waiting to make arrangements for my Dad's funeral he winked at me and said, "Trust God!" That's all I see these days, Bobby winking and saying, "Trust God."

On Wednesday night April 18^th during the receiving of friends at Bobby's wake, my brother Bishop Rick Brackett leaned over to me and said, "This makes you think of 'It's A Wonderful Life' doesn't it?" And it did too! I don't think Bobby ever realized how many lives he touched and changed just by being who he was. If he had never been born this world would have suffered a great loss. I have never seen so many people in a receiving line or heard so many people say how their lives had been changed by this one man.

Bobby, it has come time to say "not goodbye" but like you use to say to me when I was a little girl, Hasta la vista, (see you later). Give Dad a hug for me. You had "A Wonderful Life" and now it's time for "A Glorious Eternity." I love you big brother! I miss you so bad. But, I will see you soon!

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free.

Your Loving Sister,
Kathy

Bobby just before his passing.