A week ago today I was in New Jersey for the funeral of my brother in law, Michael. On January twenty sixth, he lost a short battle with cancer.
He was the closest thing I will ever have to a brother.
Yes, I actually have two other brothers in law, and I get along with them. With one of them, I even have a lot more in common than I ever did with Michael. But my relationship with Michael was always different. It was its own thing.
We were not inseparable. We did not spend huge amounts of time together. But we got along easily, naturally, and without effort.
He was one of the most colourful people I have ever known.
On the flight from London to New Jersey for the funeral, I was texting with two of my oldest friends from college. One of them said something that stuck with me, something I had recently been talking to someone else about as well. A good friend is someone who, even after years of not speaking, you can pick up with immediately, as if no time has passed at all.
That was Michael.
We might go long stretches without talking, but when we did, it felt like we had just seen each other yesterday. No catching up required. No awkwardness. Just an easy continuation.
Like I said, he was a very colourful guy, and there are stories. Plenty of them. I will write about some of those later.
But for now, this is all I have.
I am going to miss my brother.