My Toast to My Brother:

Smokler on September 3, 2003

(Begun after getting the microphone from my brother Matt)

“There’s a quote I like from F. Scott Fitzgerald where he says “Most American lives have no second act.” I take that to mean that Fitzgerald, who wasn’t a very happy guy, thought that most people were children and then spent their adult lives desperately trying to get back to childhood. Their lives never reach any kind of potential but they’re simply prolonging in vain what has come before.

I’ve often felt like my relationship with Daniel lacked a second act. He was 13 when I left home for college and so I wasn’t around for his second act, his ackward, tugging adolescence.

Well Daniel and I have gotten to know each other as adults in a why we didn’t know how to as children and weren’t able to as teenagers. Now he’s entering a very real phase of adulthood with a wonderful women who not only appreciates and challenges him but, maybe most importantly, can keep up with him as few can.

I’m so glad I was here for this part of us, not only as a witness but of counsel and in frienship. In short, as a big brother.

To Daniel and Beth. Let us all bear witness, as friend, relative, or both, to their first step and whatever comes next.”

Cheers.

Reader interactions

10 Replies to “My Toast to My Brother:”

  1. James September 4, 2003 at 8:47 pm

    Very nice. Makes me wish I had a brother I could toast… 🙂

  2. James September 4, 2003 at 8:47 pm

    Very nice. Makes me wish I had a brother I could toast… 🙂

  3. Jer September 5, 2003 at 5:45 am

    Very good – short, kind, and heartfelt. That’s all you need.

  4. Jer September 5, 2003 at 5:45 am

    Very good – short, kind, and heartfelt. That’s all you need.

  5. Kevin September 5, 2003 at 9:25 am

    Thanks man. Your advice helped a lot.

  6. Kevin September 5, 2003 at 9:25 am

    Thanks man. Your advice helped a lot.

  7. karen September 5, 2003 at 2:09 pm

    um, I know we’re not related and all, but will you come give the toast at MY wedding? First part of April. With a little planning, you can probably just hang around after SXSW. 🙂

  8. karen September 5, 2003 at 2:09 pm

    um, I know we’re not related and all, but will you come give the toast at MY wedding? First part of April. With a little planning, you can probably just hang around after SXSW. 🙂

  9. Kevin September 5, 2003 at 5:59 pm

    Certainly. But do I get to kiss the bride?

  10. Kevin September 5, 2003 at 5:59 pm

    Certainly. But do I get to kiss the bride?

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