Our Brother Otis Poem by Dorothy (Alves) Holmes

Otis, as brothers are always seen through the eyes of sisters, was
The knight in shinning armor...
There to rescue you from dragons, real or imagined, never
Saying I told you so.

Otis, as older brothers often do, reminded us to do better when we
Faltered and assured us that we most certainly could do better
When emotions and not common sense ruled our hearts.
Once, he made me promise not to call him again, unless this time,
It was to fix the plumbing, mow the lawn, paint another old apartment or
To move 'for the last time' to a nicer part of town. He said this in
A fast laughing stutter.

Otis, as older brothers sometimes do, made promises he kept and
Tried always to put his best foot forward as mentor and friend. He
Strived never to diminish us by word or deed. During their lifetime, he
Never disrespected our parents.

Otis, as older brothers must, could laugh at the perils of his youth, holding no one accountable but himself for the times he may have fallen along the way side. We'd reminisce about his finger tracks in
mamma's sweet potato pies...Her pies were his one acknowledged
weakness for tangible things. I don't remember that he was ever
punished for doing anything else.

Otis, as children should, remembered his inherited legacy of a
Strong work ethic, second to none. He took pride in any job he undertook.
He was taught to walk, talk and stand like a man, proud without boasting...He was fair in his dealings with people and had the wisdom to return to Jehovah's service, knowing him to be the God of truth, understanding and forgiveness.

Otis, our brother, demanded that you do it right or not at all...like our father, Joshua, he never half-stepped through life.
Like our mother, Rosie, he belived in the promise of the resurrection.

Otis, our brother, was steadfast until the end, always teaching, standing tall...
Even in those last few weeks you'd find him quietly listening to Kingdom Messages and melodies.
Our brother was brave, you should have known him...
You would have been enriched.


(March 19,1930-April 3,1999/With Love your Sister Dorothy)