30

Today, my brother Sean would have turned 30 (or maybe he did turn 30?). There isn't really much to say about it, it's just an interesting milestone. I can't believe my older brother who I grew up alongside of would be 30 already! His daughter Eva is almost 9!

His life was one that changed me forever and made me who I am today. I hope I never forget it. In fact, I hope I can write about it some day and do it justice. It was beautiful, tragic, and meaningful all at the same time--"for someone so young."

But sometimes I wonder if that cliche' has any validity at all, because it seems that sometimes the most important, or at least the most keenly felt, things happen in our youth. At least for him. It makes me fascinated with children, and with myself as a child. I think we encounter so many deep things in the "mists of childhood" when our senses are acute and open. I certainly have a unique love and connection for him and for my sister that was formed in those early days.

Jobs!

"When it rains, it pours." I've heard this statement many times in the past couple of weeks. Two jobs came up recently--ones I would enjoy--and I interviewed for both. It was so fun, as both interviews were positive, relaxed, and as I said before, for jobs I would enjoy. It was a new sort of feeling.

The even better news is--I got both of them! Well, sort of. I'm going to be a graduate assistant for English profs at Grand Valley State, where I'm getting a masters. I won't be teaching; instead, I'll be helping to edit a newsletter on Flannery O'Connor and a journal on E. E. Cummings! I was also up for a full-time writer job at the Holland newspaper. However, in the end it worked out that I could write some freelance feature articles, allowing me to take both jobs. I will be busy when the school year starts, so we'll see what happens, especially with the Brewery job. I'm just really thankful for jobs where I can write and be creative, learn practical skills, and work with nice people.

Look for my articles (and columns) in the Life & Style section at hollandsentinel.com