matt

Matt was the younger brother but the bigger brother.  He was silly, and goofy, he was incredibly sentimental and loved his people fiercely.  He was an artist and a hard worker.  He was a dad and the love of more than one woman's life.  He was a teaser, he was rough and physical and you had to elbow him so he wouldn't hug too hard.  He didn't always know his own strength.  He often laughed until tears spilled out his eyes.  I have a video of him laughing so hard that the whole video shakes because I can't hold the phone still to film him, his laughing makes me laugh so much.  He liked to argue because he was smart and quick.  He was infuriatingly independent and his default switch was happy.  He was heartfelt and kind, he cared for his family and friends deeply. He was complicated and beautiful and so very loved.

Matt overdosed on heroin on December 10th, 10 days short of the 6 month anniversary of his brother Andy's death.  I like to think they are holding each other again now.

Death and loss are so complex, so tangled up with love and life and those of us left behind.  This family of ours is reeling but I know with time we will continue to grow, to persist and to hold up the light of Andy and Matt because the world still needs their love and it surely shines on.