A Man Among Millions

A Man Among Millions



    He kissed her twice on the lips before gently folding the white lining over her body.  He closed the casket as his family stood around him.  As they sealed it, he turned around to hug his son. That very act will forever burn in my memory and sealing my brother’s place as one of my biggest heroes.  He is strong, loyal, and very talented.  He has so many qualities that I may never be able to name them all.

    Everett is 46 years old.  At 5’10” with a medium muscular build, he is very handsome.  Smooth, dark chocolate skin frames sparkling and kind brown eyes that are slightly wrinkled.  A straight nose and full lips frame bright white teeth.  His hair is cropped very low.  My brother has always reminded me of actor Eddie Murphy.

    As a child, Everett was shy but extremely funny—the comedienne we sorely needed.  He’s an artist—loves drawing trains and Els-- making life-like models of trains using cardboard and paper. He’s also a cook and mechanic.  He was a good kid growing up. I think Everett was the only one (of seven) who never gave Mom and Dad any grief.

    Everett’s a family man.  He visits our father often and takes him to appointments whenever he can.  He greats me with a hug so strong I can hardly breathe.  When he hears me grunt, he chuckles and releases me --saying “Hi Kimaroo” and kisses me.  His quirky gestures-- the curious tilt of his head and teasing grin or  the raised eyebrows when he’s surprised-- are a part of who he is. 

    Everett perseveres.  At 18, he joined the Army Reserves.  Of the jobs he’s held (cook, violin maker, etc.) his lifelong dream was to operate trains for a living.  He applied to CTA for 15 years before they hired him as a motorman in 2001. 

    His perseverance was evident when he returned from Desert Storm to a drug-addicted wife in 1991.  He stood by Graundia’s side for years until she overcame her addiction. Unfortunately, the damage to her existing kidney disorder was devastating.  As his wife fought for her life, Everett fought with her.  As  her biggest advocate, he questioned every test, medication, and doctor.  He stood strong at her side when she slipped into a coma while he served in Iraq.  He received an honorable discharge and was sent home to his wife.  My brother’s strength and integrity were evident to me one day when she was hospitalized and extremely weak.  Everett changed her bandages and cleaned her bodily functions.  After witnessing that, I asked God to send me a man like him.  He cared for her until she died in 2008.

    Everett is the type of person that I have strived to be.  He is a man of great integrity, loyalty, inner beauty, and strength.  I feel very blessed to have him in my life.  I admire, respect, and love him very much.



(c)2009 KWoods