Jerry M. Shelton, IV – A tribute

Beyond the blood bond that tied us together always, there was a kindred of spirits, more powerful than brotherhood, more sacred that best friends, who kept secrets, even lied to each other if it lifted and sustained….he was family….my family, my big brother, and the first born of a pack of five brothers, all damn good brothers!  He was my brother, my mentor, my heart and my friend.

Born July 28^th under what he used to call the fierce sign of Leo, he gave me props (sometimes) for being a free spirit Sagittarian, but reminded me, pushed me, often drug me into freer reigns.  Rarely comfortable without a crowd or a group of fans, I taught him humility, that free time and reflection does count; he taught me that solitude and following the rules was overrated.  I taught him tolerance, for diversity of mind, and he taught me to mind my own business.  I taught him that true love comes from within; he taught me what outsides had to offer.  I was his big brother in many ways, and others he almost a dad in a foreign world.  We both learned the value of love and friendship, family and self-acceptance, each in the same but different ways.  He my rock, I the soft mattresses under his fall; we each learned to hold on, even when nothing seemed to grasp spirits fully.  We each knew love, deep within souls, because we knew…

I am really my brothers’ keeper!

I AM really my brother’s keeper!

I am REALLY my brother(s) keeper!

A memorial to a fallen soldier, a strong black man, a different drummer, a fierce Leo, a kindred spirit, and the best big brother ever, gone much, much, too soon:

Jerry Miah Shelton IV (Jay-Jay)

July 28^th, 1960 to (and awful April day over a
 
horrible 10 years ago today)

Crystal, Nika, TJ, Kenny, Nisha, Marlesha, Jay-Leonard, AJ, Brendan, and Sophia’s Uncle