My Brother

My younger brother, my last remaining sibling, called to tell me he was in a hospital in Springville, IL, with cancer in his liver.  He said when he leaves the hospital he will enter a nursing home.  He will no longer be able to manage my farmland and prepare a summary for my tax return.  I am sure I can handle that, but it won't be easy to visit him except by driving more than I like to.  The girlfriend who would have taken me recently dumped me.  Suddenly my house seems very empty.