Monday, October 1 is, as some of you know, the birthday of my brother Justin who met an untimely demise three years ago in an unfortunate accident involving Peru, rain, and a rather steep mountain. On Monday he would have been 21 years old, and in his senior year in college. Instead of dwelling on what might have been, however, it may be better to celebrate his 17 years of enthusiasm, determination, and passion for others by doing some of the following:
1. Choreograph a fight sequence for stage or screen.
2. Practice falling like a stunt man/woman.
3. Chop down a tree.
4. When your friends start bickering, break up the moment saying, "Can't we all just get along?" in a funny voice.
5. Study martial arts.
6. Wear one of the following items:
Caribiner--whether or not it matches the rest of your outfit.
Orange shirt, or other orange item.
Long, black coat Matrix-style, or just anything black, really.
Boots of some kind.
Anything your girlfriend/boyfriend bought for you, no matter how it looks/smells.
Any bladed weapon/lighter.
Blue-tinted or Matrix-style sunglasses, whether or not the sun is out.
7. Know where your towel is, and use "42" as the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything.
8. Climb something--Half Dome is preferable, but a rock or tree will suffice.
9. Preach in a foreign country with dramatic gestures.
10. Perform a magic trick badly.
11. No matter how painful the injury, refuse medication.
12. Attend a midnight showing of something.
13. Practice a skill tenaciously until you get it right.
14. Be dramatic.
15. Hug a family member.
16. Protect the attacked.
17. Befriend the lonely.
18. Question authority.
19. Celebrate tradition.
20. Enjoy life.
Well, I hope you will enjoy Justin Day as much as I will--this is just a handful of the possible ways to celebrate. Whether you knew him as the Reverend, Beloved Tyrant, Red, the Bishop of Digne, Father, Macbeth, or just plain Justin, never forget him. May this day be a chance for you to enjoy life, as Justin wrote, "No Fear, No Regrets, No Holding Back."
In my prayers,
Jillian
PS It would be wrong for me to call myself the sole writer of this one, as my parents contributed heavily to it with their own memories of Justin. They deserve just as much credit.
1 comment:
Jillian, I should give you a big -butt (i censored myself!) hug today, or well, any day for that matter. I saw you ONCE at PUC but I didn't have time to go over and say hi. Hmm. Maybe I'm being anti-social. No matter, I am digressing.
Thank you SO much for that, you truly have a gift with words and honestly- nothing makes me cry- but I'll be honest- I just did and still am, and probably still will be when I go to the library in 15 minutes. (THANKS a LOT! haha)
But thank you very much. :)
I'm glad that you're here at PUC and if you need anything- someone to talk to, some FOOD, a ride to safeway- let me know. call me @ 7373.
btw, tell your parents hello.
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