Janet Rattay

RONNIE

The is nothing in this world
like having an older brother
I adored Ronnie
The last happy day we had was
when he danced with me at my wedding
Six months later he was gone
He survived a heart attack and
double bypass surgery
Today this procedure is almost done
on an outpatient basis
Visiting him, he told me he didn’t
want to die
He was too young
Time here on earth was finished
for the Good Lord called him home
a few days after the operation.
Our whole family was devastated
His wife, nine-year-old daughter, my father,
the rest of the siblings
Thirty-four, so young,
so handsome
His eyes were like blue crystals
Some people said he resembled
“Paul Newman”
I miss him
It’s been thirty years.