My Brother Travis

On Saturday January 10th I got a phone call that you never want to receive. My mom called to tell me that my foster brother Travis had died.
I was in shock. I hadn't seen Travis for many years but I still had a great love for him.
Travis entered our family while I was in 3rd grade. He lived with us for two years. Travis and I had a special bond. He looked out for me. I remember him always telling people that he was my brother and no one had better mess with me.
I vividly remember the day Travis came to live with my family. We had to go over to Hurricane High School to pick him up. I was so excited of the thought of having another brother but I think I was also a little apprehensive.


Travis took to our family like a bee takes to honey. He fit in so well with my siblings and I.
He by no means was an angel. He was very mischievous and got into a little trouble once in awhile.
When he would get into trouble, he would start speaking in Navajo so that we couldn't understand him. I remember my mom joking with his Mother that she needed a dictionary so she could understand what Travis was saying. The next time his parents came to visit, lo and behold they had a dictionary for us. We laughed because we couldn't understand the dictionary either.
After two years of having Travis live with us, my dad decided to go to Medical School. We would be moving far away and his family didn't want Travis that far from them. It was decided after much agonizing that Travis would go live with another family. It was hard for him as well as us.
We shared some fun times with Travis. He tried to teach my older brother and I how to swear in Navajo. A trick, unfortunately that I never picked up. He snuck into my room one night before Christmas and tried to measure my finger for a ring he was making me. A true gift that I will treasure forever. Travis loved the outdoors and we had many camping trips with him.
Travis made life fun. I loved his smile and he had this infectious laugh that would get everyone going.
This was our last family picture before we moved away.
It feels like apart of me is gone now.

We felt like we owed it to Travis to attend his funeral. My dad, mom, Barb and I drove down to Gallup New Mexico.
It was a beautiful service. One that I will never soon forget.
His family welcomed us with open arms as well as everyone else that attended. They kept coming up to us and hugging us and saying, "thanks for loving our little one."
On the back of the program was this poem entitled I'm Free

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me for now, I'm free. I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love , to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with time or sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seems all to brief. Don't lengthen it now with undo grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now. He set me free.

Travis,
You left us too early!
But your memories will linger on.
In your short stay here you have taught me much. You have been a true brother and friend.
I will miss your warm smiles and your infectious laugh! May you rest in peace.
Til we meet again,
Your sister always,
Monica