Brotherhood demonstrated
 

For those of you who don't know, my dad killed himself June 15. While this has been a trying time for my mom and I, I had the opportunity to see brotherhood outside the bounds of college life. Plenty of people sent me messages and posted on facebook, some even called to talk to me. What was unexpected were the brothers who came to my dad's funeral. None of them had known my father, but they were there anyways. After the reception some of them even stuck around for a while and went out for drinks with me before heading back home.

How many of you all have had the opportunity to witness brotherhood outside it's normal context? What is your story?

Matt,

I am very distressed to hear about what happened with your father, but am glad you told us about it. I am very sorry and wish I could have been there too.

It was extremely supportive of the brothers to have made the effort they did. I wish I had a similar story, but can't think of one right now.

Hang in there, bro.

In ZAX,
Jono

Sadly, a similar situation happened in my chapter.

We're there for each other. No matter how close or distant as brothers.

Hang in there man.

I know that you're in law school and it can be difficult dealing with a death or sickness at that time. If you need anyone to talk to or to help out, let me know.

Matt, I notice your date of death was July 15 th.

Not sure what to make of this dating, but it is a hard thing to live with as we never know what is in a persons mind at the time. One Brother came to my Dads funeral as most did not know at the time.

LXA is not just a Brotherhood of we, but many times it is our familys also.

Dad and Moms become part of the LXA Family as they are part of us.

We feel sorrow for any part of our Family.

When our Patroness, Mrs. Ligon passed. there were many Brothers there from some ways away and nothing but Brothers as pall bearers.

That is just what we are, Brothers and any part of each of our family is a part also!

My dad passed away in 1995, during my "hiatus" from LCA. Seems my ex didn't think I s/b keeping in touch w/"those guys"..."When are you going to grow up?"...yadayadayada.

However, after the divorce I started working w/Northwestern in late '97. Their High Pi (Order of Merit winner Frank Mann) was my local contact for donating to NAFD--I'd go to Sam's Club, buy a few cases of canned goods & drive them to his home in Evanston.

That fall Frank told me that the chapter was going to be reactivating in the spring & asked if I wanted to get involved. Since my girlfriend (now bride) didn't mind, I agreed to help out. I also started to assist @ Illinois State.

Fast forward to 2002. My mom passed away on St. Paddy's Day, and I prepared a eulogy for her (just as I'd done for my dad). For this service, I had assistance--sitting in a group were 6 NU alums...and near the altar was a floral arrangement from the ISU board.

Knowing those guys were there for me on one of the saddest days of my life meant a ton, more than words can express.

I'm sorry for your loss, bro...but we're here for ya.

In ZAX,
BF

I did think of one. In 2000, my mom (90) was in a nursing home. When she died, two of my chapter brothers (including my Little Brother) happened to be visiting. We were stringing the new Internet cable in the basement when the call came in.

It was really good to have them here with me, otherwise I would have been alone. They tried to be supportive, but it got a touch morbid and I could tell they were uncomfortable. I kinda downplayed the whole thing so they wouldn't feel so awkward.

That evening we piled in the car and went to the studio for another recording session, as scheduled.

I should look back and see what song we did that night. I'll bet it came out well.

One of my best friends just passed away a few weeks ago, she was also one of the brothers girlfriends. I knew her since freshman year well before I joined the house. Amazing how many people came out, either in support of her, her family, or her boyfriend. Two of my roommates freshman year are also brothers in the house, and knew her well before anyone else. Its a tough time when someone dies that young who has lived such a great life, especially when she had no control over her death.

Sorry to hear about your dad, I can't even imagine how that feels.

Cheers.
In ZAX,
John Dever
GT1111

Three years ago, one of our newly initiated brothers Diego died driving through campus when he drove off an embankment. It was a shock to us all, he was only 18 years old, and he viewed a lot of us as his blood brothers because his siblings were 12 years older than him. I took his death very hard, and it was a rough time for the whole chapter as a whole, we supported each other throughout this period, and we learned how fragile our lives really are. Our chapter received tremendous support from the entire Greek System, as well as from the school because he was a member of the UTEP cheer squad. All this support helped our chapter get through this period, and strengthened our bond as brothers. Without a doubt, I would proudly claim that Lambda Chi at UTEP is closest fraternity on campus, and every single one us would give the shirt off our backs for each other.

That means alot as we are not Blood, but theh next best thing! We bleed Purple Green and Gold and those who do are ours!

We do what we can and will!:)