We lost my little brother this morning

[Kolesar]

280. Great Spirit, Maker of All Life--let's hear from James Fenimore Cooper

...the grand American author. These lines were delivered excellently by Russel Means in Michael Mann's remake 20 years ago.

Great Spirit, Maker of All Life. A warrior goes to you swift and straight as an arrow shot into the sun. Welcome him and let him take his place at the council fire of my people. He is Uncas, my son. Tell them to be patient and ask death for speed; for they are all there but one - I, Chingachgook - Last of the Mohicans.

I don't know if that is Cooper, verbatim, but it's my favorite line in the film. Last of the Mohicans was one of the first dates for me and my lovely wife.

If you are ever in Pittsburgh, PA, visit the Heinz History Center for an excellent account of the that period when the conflict on our frontier led to a world war on the European continent. http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/

We don't yet have the autopsy report, but I wanted to share that prose. My mother is yet in a stunned state. I lost another brother four years ago in October. He was the one who filled up the campus newspaper with anti-Bush rants. You would have loved him. I have another brother who has been permanently disabled for 25 years due to a car accident. We are a crushed tribe.

Thanks for your warm wishes and advice, everybody. I read every post and took solace. There is wisdom here. Peace, and work for social justice.