When you carry the name

My brother Kim

(painted in Waterlogue)-

the only male child in our family.

 He carries the name- GRAFT,

because there are THREE SISTERS.

Today is my dad's birthday

 and he would have been 87 today.

When I saw

this photo of our brother-

 there was a sharp intake of breath-

 and I whispered- DAD.

The walk.

 The strength.

The solid plan of when

 a BIG job is simply DONE.

Quiet.

The laugh.

Taking in much

 and just THINKING about it.

And here is DAD.

There is something about 
carrying the name forward.

Like Christian carries Christ forward.

There is a weight and a duty to this job.

 There is love and devotion.

 There is gift and grace.

On this birthday anniversary,

 I am thankful for the brother -

 that carries the name.

GRAFT and CHRISTIAN.

He makes me proud to say-

Brother.

And all he does

 and says
 honors the name of his 
earthly AND heavenly father.