A Birthday, A Farewell, and a Love That Remains

💙 Growing Up: A Brother, A Protector, A Friend

I often teased Greg that he wasn’t from the “real” New York since he was born in Yonkers, while I proudly claimed Jamaica, Queens, as the heart of it all. We laughed, joked, and teased each other the way only a brother and sister can. One thing about Greg—he never stayed still.

If he wasn’t out in the neighborhood, keeping watch and making sure no boy got too comfortable around me, he was on the move. Always moving. Always present. Always watching. Family and friends meant everything to him. No matter the distance, he would travel back and forth from California, Virginia, and New York just to stay connected. His love and devotion were constant—unshakable.

😄 The Stories That Stay With Me

Now, Baby Boy… he could be a handful. So much so that one day in elementary school, the principal didn’t even believe we were related—because somehow, before the school day ended, Greg had already made his way to the principal’s office. More than once. As far as Greg was concerned, that office might as well have had his name on it.

But that was my brother.

He was also my tutor when I struggled with math. Between Greg and Denise, I had more help than I probably realized at the time. He was my protector, especially when it came to boys, and the one who made sure life stayed fun, even when it didn’t feel that way. Despite being four years older, there was never anything Greg wouldn’t do for me.

🎶 King Knights & Lady Fresh

Greg had his own identity—his own presence. He called himself “King Knights,” and he gave me the name “Lady Fresh.” This was during the era of hip-hop and breakdancing, when the music and the culture were alive in every corner of our community.

He would go out, battling others in breakdancing, and we would wait to hear how it went—hoping, and often knowing, that he had won. And yes… many people used to say he looked like LL Cool J. We didn’t argue with that. We loved LL Cool J—and along with many artists of that time, his music became part of our soundtrack growing up.

🏜️ A Protector Until the End

I remember our first trip across the country as a family (me, my mom, Denise, and Greg) —traveling to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Even then, Greg never let his guard down. Protection was who he was. It was in him.

And maybe, just maybe… once he felt that we were okay—that we no longer needed that protection in the same way—he allowed himself to rest. To lay it down.

🌅 Saying Goodbye… But Holding On

It is my hope and prayer that I will see Baby Boy again someday. But until then, I hold onto the memories—the laughter, the teasing, the protection, the love.

In the words from the movie Cooley High, sung by G.C. Cameron:

“I’ll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain.
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.”

🌊 His Final Journey

And so today, as his ashes are scattered into the sea, I imagine him surrounded by sunlight, carried by waves, free and at peace. Exactly where he would want to be.

❤️ Forever My Brother

Love you ALWAYS, Baby Boy.