Brotherhood: What It Means to Me

The past couple of weeks have been interesting ones for me because of the interaction that I've had with three Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brothers from the Zeta Mu chapter at Sam Houston State University. Two of them were roommates of mine at the ATO fraternity house on Ave. J in Huntsville, Texas. The other is one of my four 'little brothers' in the fraternity.

Moss Alan Crenshaw called me about a month ago to let me know that he had moved back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area after an absence of a few years. Moss and I share a love of many things including sports and music. When he called my cell phone the second week in January, I almost drove off of the road! I have been keeping my 'little brother' in my thoughts and prayers for the longest time. Things have been difficult for him but he's on his way back, better and stronger than ever, in my opinion. Moss and I made plans to have lunch during our phone call and a couple of weeks later I drove to his house in Colleyville to pick him up. When he opened the door, he was standing there with the biggest grin on his face and immediately said "Spock!" (To those who may not know it, this is my fraternity nickname) and put out his hand. I said, "Sorry, brother. A handshake just won't cut it this time!" and I gave him what I think is probably the longest hug I've ever given to another man. He is my brother. My 'little brother'. He has the love of a beautiful wife, daughter and son to support him. But he also has the love of our fraternity's brotherhood for strength, as well. And I am so happy to have him back and returning to the Moss that we all know and love.

James 'Cuz' Chandler's birthday was on Wednesday, February 3. We were pledge brothers in the spring of 1977 and became roommates in the Fall of 1977 and the Spring of 1978 at the ATO house. I called his cell phone to wish him a 'Happy Birthday!' and we spoke for several minutes about different topics. We talked about the Super Bowl and I found out that James' next door neighbor is the grandfather of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. We reminisced about a road trip we had taken in the spring of 1980 on his birthday to go to a watering hole in Houston called The Pour House. And we discussed our jobs: mine in real estate and his at the Texas Department of Corrections. Nothing earth-shattering about our conversation but it's these kinds of talks that keep us rooted in our Brotherhood, no matter who we may be or where we are or whenever it happens. Always take the time to call a brother on his birthday or an important occasion or anniversary. It will probably make their day a bit brighter and it will definitely put a smile on your face.

Bruce Shipp is another brother whom I roomed with at the ATO house in the Fall of 1978, Spring of 1979 and Fall of 1979. Bruce has also had a very difficult time in recent years. Last Saturday, my cell phone rang and I looked at the caller ID and saw his name. I immediately answered it and said "Brother!" There was a long pause and Bruce said, "What are you doing?" I told him that I was just running some errands on a Saturday afternoon and he said "Well, I don't want to bother you..." to which I replied that I always have time for a brother. I told him I would come by his parents' house, where he's been living the past few years with them, and he could go with me on one of my errands. We drove around for awhile, got a soda at a nearby 7-11 and talked about what's been happening in our lives. Needless to say, Bruce has had it tough and he won't be out of the woods for a long time. When we parted, I told him that I loved him and that he could always call me, no matter what time of the day if he needed to talk because that's what brothers do for each other. I keep him in my thoughts and prayers and I respectfully ask that my brothers do the same.

Each time I spoke with one of my brothers I was reminded of the bond that we all share in our beloved Brotherhood. Even though we may not agree on politics or religion or business matters, we are still 'brothers by choice' and we are always there for each other through thick and thin.