Matthew Browning

My brother, Matt Browning, passed away this morning after struggling with some health issues the last two years. He was the closest in age to me and the brother I fought like cats and dogs with when we were kids. I guess that comes from us both having baby-of-the-family status...him as the youngest boy and me as the youngest child.

Matt would go out of his way to help other people. Trouble always seemed to go out of its way to find him. 50 miles from the nearest hospital and someone slices their foot open on the only broken bottle in a creek...Matt. Someone swallowed a fishbone that requires an ER visit...Matt. Matt even accidentally walked into the path of a rock that hit him in the head so he needed stitches (at least that was the story from my brothers and cousins). If you knew him...chances are you can remember some bizarre accident that involved Matt ending up at the doctor's office.

Despite being the poster child for Murphy's Law, Matt got a lot of things right. He was lucky enough to have two wonderful women in his life, Kim and Debbie. He was able to take care of our mother, Mona, so she could remain at home as her life drew to a close. He has three beautiful children, Sam, Peter, and Molly, each unique in their own way. Adorable twin granddaughters bound to bowl over the world.

And that's just his biological family. He also has kids, Emily, Lindsay, and Darrell, and grandkids of the heart, who I know will miss him as much as I already do.

You left us too soon, Choo-choo. Yet, I see you reflected in my sleeping grandson who's got two fingers stuck firmly in his mouth while he sleeps. I see the light you brought to more people than you know.

You'll be safe in heaven with Mom, Dad, and John. Give them all a hug. I love you.