“GO, Brian, GO!”
These were words of encouragement shouted by my younger brother Paul, fighting terminal cancer at age 4, while he watched my first attempt to ride a bicycle without training wheels.
Since I was able to be outside on a sunny Saturday attempting to ride my “big boy” bike, I was simultaneously excited and guilt-ridden. If only Paul could feel the breeze upon his face and freedom as he peddled his bike. If only.
Months before, we were playing at the park. Always wanting to be a part of the action, Paul tried to join in a game with some other kids, but rather than including him, they began making fun of him. I ran over to stop it and exclaimed, “Stop picking on my brother, he is dying of cancer!” To my shock, Paul turned and instead pointed at me, forcefully stating, “I’m not dying, I am living!”
During Paul’s brief life, he exhibited a deeply reflective and insightful perspective not only of his own fate but via words of encouragement and hopefulness as we all struggled to cope with the reality that my parents would be losing their son and I, my brother.
Paul passed away, not yet 5, on December 21, 1982. December 21, as my parents would remind me annually without fail – the shortest day, the longest night.
Throughout our lives, there are but a handful of moments that truly stand out, those we can envision as if they happened yesterday, the sounds, the smells and the feelings. Likewise, there are a handful of people who inspire us to be better than we could have ever been had they not impacted us deeply.
Your years at Vanderbilt were no doubt some of the “best” of your life, as were mine – the experiences, the people and the memories. Vanderbilt provides many amazing opportunities, but not everyone is able to access them. We can help.
My brother inspires me daily, and during his brief time with us, he lived as fully as was possible. Now, through the Paul J. Jorde Travel Endowment, his curiosity, philosophizing, and warm joy of living will continue on via expanded travel and growth experiences for Vanderbilt students.
Who has inspired you? What legacy can you honor through a meaningful gift today?
—Brian Jorde, BA ‘98