He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother
"I was a stranger and you invited me in…" – Matthew 25:35-40
"... provide the poor wanderer with shelter..." – Isaiah 58:6-7
"you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land..." – Deuteronomy 15:11
Billy and Bobby, both my brothers, one older, one younger than me. I have one more brother, Mike, the youngest of the boys.
We were all ball players. And pretty good ones, if I say so myself. Mike even got drafted into the minor league of the Oakland A's. Billy had a great arm and was a catcher. Bobby and I were like Trammel & Whitaker (of the Tigers). I was at 2nd base, and Bob was a shortstop. Mike was a catcher.
There was a five-year spread between Bill and Mike. That meant we sometimes were never on the same teams playing together. But that never stopped us from playing ball when we didn't have a game. We all loved the sport.
Billy, or as we called him, 'Bubba,' was a gentle soul. Very considerate of others. Loved being around people. Rarely complained.
Bobby, or as we referred to him, 'Bob-Slob,' was the prankster. He had a great sense of humor and was always keeping us in stitches.
Mike, or 'Oink' as we called him, was the charmer. He got away with a lot from our parents.
OK, in fairness, I was known as 'Slim'. I followed the traits of Bill, always lending a hand and talking with others. Loved listening to stories and passing them on.
After high school, Bill got caught up in a mess of drug use. And sadly, Bob became an alcoholic.
Mike and I went onto college and later marriage, children....
Bill developed some mental illness in his 20's. And with that he became a different person. But we know the medication had a lot to do with his anger and frustrations. It was hard for him to keep a job. Eventually, he became homeless, by his own choosing.
With Bob's alcoholism there was no reprieve. Sadly, one day in his 20's he was involved in a car accident that killed the other driver in the on-coming car. He was sent to prison for two and a half years for vehicular manslaughter. He never drove again. After his release, he found work as a carpenter. But the battle of alcoholism was too much for him to handle. He stopped working and became homeless, by his own choosing as well.
Having two of my brothers, my dear brothers, homeless was extremely difficult. As a family, we all tried to 'pitch in' where we could. Most times the offers were not accepted. Their pride got in the way. But, that never stopped us. I always knew they were never alone. God was with them always.
In 2014, we received that awful early call that Bob had died in his sleep, frozen to death. He was 53. That was a very painful time for me and our family.
2022, Bill was in the hospital for sepsis and an array of other ailments. He died a few days later. He was 64.
I miss my brothers every day. I think fondly of our great times growing up, throwing rolled-up socks at each other or playing ball in a nearby field. But, I know they both are with our Lord and Savior. That gives me tremendous comfort.
Over the years, I realize I have learned a lot from those two in their passing. The way they lived, the choices they both made. It has not gone unnoticed. My faith has grown even stronger.
I (and Cathy) just finished with our 2nd time volunteering with Shelter Week here at GPUMC. Being with these 20 or so women, I discovered I can remember Billy and Bobby without associating who they were to their homelessness. These women – both years – gave me the much needed courage to face that both of them will never be forgotten.
God rest your souls Bubba and Slob. Glory be to God.
Jim Cupples
