Having a Ball at Iosco Township Hall
Brent and I recently ventured back home so that he had the opportunity to reunite with old friends and see his family before this stupid disease progressed too much further. Realizing that getting Brent to everyone’s house in the span of a week would be nearly impossible, we planned a shindig at a local hall. We had food catered from one of our favorite old restaurants, put out an array of Little Debbie snacks on silver platters (cause we fancy) and spent several hours hanging out, answering questions, and being surrounded by people who came from all over the country to see Brent.
While I spent the majority of the day sitting with Kerry, the Statler to my Waldorf being snarky and heckling, as we do,(Google it children, and realize that the cranky old men were the best Muppets). I watched as Brent had an endless stream of visitors trying to get hugs, pictures, and the opportunity to speak with him. Statler and I noted that although there were plenty of people in the room we went to high school with, we genuinely don’t speak with anyone from those days - save for each other. It amazes me how he has spent the majority of his life thinking so little of himself, considering the number of people who were there to spend time with their friend.
Just like in high school, Brent didn’t fit into one social circle, but rather he was the bridge that brought them all together. He hung out with the band nerds, the track team, the misfits, and even the occasional freak with a unibrow. Here we all were, in the same room, for him. It brought back an old story from high school. Brent and James (one of his closest friends) were making fun of Ian Woods - anyone from FHS will likely remember the name. Ian went off on James and when asked why he was only upset with James when Brent was making fun of him too, Ian told him that “Brent has more redeeming qualities.”
During the party, Brent’s old boss tearfully looked at him while speaking to me and said, “Just look at that face, how can you not love him?” I may be biased, but I tend to agree. Even when he’s mocking you about stupid pinecones or anything else, he has a way about him that just puts you at ease. When he loves you, he loves you completely and unconditionally. He believes in people and supports them however he can - whether by sharing advice, giving away his trumpet, sharing golf clubs, or helping build something. He believes in family and is so very grateful for the small group he has left. He is sentimental and generous. He expects nothing and is grateful for everything. He indeed has many redeeming qualities.
We were at the hall for over six hours and Brent was physically and emotionally exhausted by the time we went back to the farmhouse to say our goodbyes to family before heading back to Florida. Truth be told, we could have spent a week in that room with everyone and while we may have eventually run out of Little Debbie snacks, we would still have plenty of stories, laughs, and tears to share. Brent and I will always be grateful to all that came out to see us and who helped make this trip such a success.
PS…Kerry, we didn’t take a single picture of us together. WTF (Bacon).
