If ever there was a more fitting post it would be Saturday Smiles Sandy.
You see, my brother Sandy was never without a smile on his face.
Saturday Smiles Sandy
In our family of eight kids, Sandy was the oldest. I was the youngest.
While I was still in diapers my brother joined the Navy and completed two tours of service in Vietnam. He was a plank owner with the Top Gun unit in NAS Miramar.
In 1971 he married Shirley. I have no memory of a time that existed before Shirley. They were so inseparable that when talking about them their names often came out as one, SandyandShirley. They remained devoted sweethearts for over 47 years.
I love this photo below. There is some serious style going on with Shirley’s prairie pinafore. You can tell my brother was a fun guy by those plaid pants.
Sandy favored bright colors and happy prints. They matched his personality.
He was always the life of the party. Just his entrance into a room would spark magic.
My brother loved to travel and was always up for an adventure.
Sandy often became a kid again around cool cars.
He himself loved to drive Shirley around in their sweet little two-seat Miata.
My brother LOVED a good meal. It was a trait he inherited from our dad.
Family was everything to Sandy. He was an amazing father of three fabulous kids.
He could talk for hours about his cute grandkids.
True Character
Now up until this point, you might say, “Oh I know a guy like that.”
But my brother went beyond that. He was truly special and rare.
The lessons that he has taught me in the last two years have forever changed me. For the better.
Sandy’s true character was revealed when he still smiled during chemotherapy.
He smiled and stayed positive even when he lost his hair.
Last year his circa 1910 home caught fire and suffered extensive damage. While the home was being repaired, and he was still undergoing treatment, he and Shirley lived in a motor home for months during the cold Idaho winter.
Yet he still remained UPBEAT and POSTIVE.
Sandy was the very definition of a true eternal optimist.
Sadly, my brother lost his battle with cancer last week. The loss of this great man will be felt for a very long time. He touched so many lives with his love, optimism, and magic.
I will soon be traveling home to California to be with my family. I am packing colorful clothes in loud prints.
But try as I might, my smile won’t be nearly as bright.
Laura
Norman George Phillips
“Sandy”
What a beautiful celebration of his life. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Oh my Laura, such a beautiful tribute to your brother. I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Laura. He sounds like a wonderful brother and a great man. Praying for you through this time.
Oh Laura, this is the SWEETEST post. I’m so, so sorry for your and your family’s loss. What a darling man! I just love that smile, and his children look like they have inherited that. He set a wonderful example for everyone around him, didn’t he?
Thank you for sharing his story, Laura; you are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Denise
Oh Laura, this is one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever read. What a special man, your Sandy. And your right about that smile. It could light up a room. We should all be so fortunate to have someone like Sandy in our lives, though most of us never do.
I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. It sounds like a platitude; I suppose it is. But it’s a true one. I know he’ll be missed by every single person in your family who loved him and a whole bunch of others whose path he crossed. I like to think we have a flock of guardian angels on our side. I think you just got another. Sending hugs across the miles.
Oh Laura, I’m so sorry. What a beautiful tribute for your incredible brother, what a gentle man. What a smile! His grandchildren have that special smile too. Thanks for sharing this tribute with us, truly amazing man.
Hugs to you and yours,
Nancy
Such an amazing tribute the your brother. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and condolences.
You’ve given us a wonderful picture of your brother and I’m so sorry for your loss. The loss of a sibling is a great loss – it’s like losing a part of yourself. Condolences to you and your entire family. He will be missed, but his spirit (along with that big grin) will be watching over you all.
So sad for your loss….you painted a glowing tribute of your beloved brother!….be safe in your journey to family and may God bless you and comfort you all!
Hugs to you real big. Beautiful tribute about your big brother. I can see he is one special guy in your life that you love very much. Much love to you, Georgeann
I am so sorry to hear this…Prayers for you and your family and safe travels.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Laura. Praying for comfort for you all.
Dear Laura,
Travel safely, enjoy the family and celebrate this beautiful life lived smiling.
*hugs*
Kelley~
This is a sad day… what a magnificent man.
I’m sure he knew how much he was loved. You don’t have a huge
smile like his and not feel the love all around you.
Prayers!
Aw, Laura~ I am writing this with eyes brimming with tears threatening to overflow onto my keyboard. I am so sos sorry you lost such a great brother. There is no other pain quite like that of losing a sibling and I wish I didn’t know that pain. Bless you as you say your earthly good-byes. xo Diana
This is beautiful Laura, such a wonderful tribute to a handsome happy guy. The picture of him in his uniform is priceless. I’m sorry that your family has been diminished in this sad way.
I hope that in California you can take comfort in remembering him and being with your loved ones. Your should print all this up and distribute it … I am sure it would interest and comfor t people.
My deepest sympathy to you Laura. Thank you for sharing this fabulous tribute to your brother Sandy. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry for yours and your families loss, Laura. I too, lost my only brother to a dreadful disease. You will get through this. I didn’t think I would, but time helps ease the pain. I know you’ll miss him greatly. Take care.
Sweet memories. Bless you and your family.
Safe travels.
Hugs,
My gosh…I feel I have suffered a loss. You wrote an incredible memorial for your brother along with photos that brought him alive to me and most likely other readers.
I am so ,so sorry for your loss. Celebrate when you meet up in California.
Jane
Dear Laura,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your big brother. I lost my eldest brother suddenly three years ago and I feel your pain. Brothers are the greatest! Thank you for sharing Sandy with us in this blog post. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Joan
Norman (your Sandy ) was one of the happiest men I have ever known and he never missed an opportunity to go somewhere, even a day after chemo.
He was continually roped into doing some volunteer work where Shirley was the director and never complained. I do not think I ever heard him speak
badly of someone and he laughed constantly . He will be missed by so many people.
I’m so sorry, Laura. I know nothing can take away the sting of loss right now. Know you have many spirit hugs from all of us right now. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful bright light in your life and have many memories to cherish for many years to come.
so very sorry for your loss, and what a special post dedicated to him.
b
I am so sorry for your loss, but how fortunate that you had Sandy in your life.
Steve and I were also married in 1971 and he rocked a pair of plaid pants when I wore my Jessica McClintock prairie dress.
Laura, what a beautiful tribute! I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was truly a loss to everyone who was lucky enough to know him. My prayers to your family. Mary
Laura,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother Sandy. He sounds like a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you as your travel to be with your family. My the love of your family and the memories of your brother offer you a small measure of comfort.
What a terrific person your brother Sandy was. So sorry for your loss but how blessed to have had him as a brother.
So sorry for your lost. May you cherish your memories.
Oh, dear Laura, what a sweet tribute to your dear brother. A huge earthly loss for sure. May God comfort you and your family as you grieve.
Dear Laura, I am so saddened for you and your brother’s entire family by news of his death. You can just see kindness exude from his expressive smile in each and every picture here. Cancer is so awful and, as much as I hate to say it, seems such a big business, that I wonder if it will ever be eradicated. My sincere sympathies are sent to yours and Sandy’s family. I can’t even imagine what the loss of a sibling will feel like. :'(
Dear Laura,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your stories about your dear brother and the lovely photos all show how much he meant to you and how much love you share. I have four brothers and dread the day any of us are parted. I realize how lucky I am to be able to see and talk to them often since we all live close by. When I read of families parted by miles I feel so bad for them. I suppose it must make the time you do get to be together even more special.
I hope your time with your family supporting each other and the love and memories you share help you get through the days ahead.
{{{hugs}}} I will be thinking of you!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Laura. Peace be with you.
Thinking of you today. I hope that you are with your family and that you are all laughing, and smiling amongst the tears, wearing bright clothes and sharing memories of your brother. Travel safe.
My heart breaks for you, Laura. A big strong hug.
Amalia
xo
Sending more hugs your way, dear Laura, and I hope your family’s time together carries you with more and more love.
I just knew that if I were to read a tribute to your brother, I’d cry. I wasn’t wrong. What a sweet, sweet tribute, Laura. I will say it again, I’m so very sorry for your loss.