Skip to main content

Rest in Peace - Brian Hull

It's odd when someone passes on. This past week, I learned that 'Uncle Brian' has died. I'm not sure why I call him that, he isn't my uncle and although he is the Uncle of a family I have been close to over the years, it's not typical of me to offer such terms of endearment to people that are not blood related. I am, after all, a Mason and a Gron. Two powerful families on opposite ends of the spectrum though united in intensity and purpose.

And this is similar to how Brian was when I knew him.

One of my favorite stories was about the opening of his Mexican restaurant in California. In a rough neighborhood littered with vandals and bullets, Brian decided to open his business. As an incredible cook, he knew he'd be able to win over customers so long as he could keep the violence at bay. He worked on his place, dealt with the incidents he'd expected and one day, decided to go to the parking lot and show the neighbors he meant real business. With a racing heart, he turned on a saw and whipped it around as one would a lasso. He let the spinning blade hit the ground, throwing sparks as he growled and hollered. He carried on as long as his bravado carried him and then went quickly home.

After that night, Brian had very few run ins with the gangs and his business thrived. His hot sauce was the best you'd had, his tacos had that extra something that was just beyond knowing and he cared about every meal he served. Brian loved his business, his family and was incredibly nice to me and mine when we got to know him years later. He was there for rides when a car broke down, to lend gas money he likely didn't have and to watch the same Mummies movie every time my little one presented it.

He'd had a harder life prior to our meeting and his health, habits and stories spoke clearly of those days. Regret about the way his relationship had gone with his son and the love of his life. Quick decisions to try to make up for lost resources or advice for lost memories. Brian was intense - the definition of intense with curly hair, bulging eyes, a loud laugh and decision making that offered no room for questioning. The last time I saw Brian was years ago and I honestly didn't think he'd make it out of the hospital then. While visiting, we discussed great memories, talked about the cute nurse he was harassing and Brian bore his self to me and to his nephew. Though few in my life knew him, I felt I had to leave a few words. This week, I will be honored to go spread his ashes through Bryce Canyon, visiting his family and talking about our memories of Brian.

With Love and Gratitude for the time spent and the kindnesses shown and shared, may you rest in peace and be forever in our thoughts.

Om

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A World of Life, or Why to Live is the Opposite of Evil

 Wow. This is getting tough.  Not the work of life. Not life. Those have always been tough. What's getting to be so tough that it's almost unbearable, is knowing what I can do for so many that are struggling, while having the fear of change, doom, climate, water, food... on and on until it grips people so hard, that they don't move. They can't hear that there are options. When they see them, they are so tired of being lied to or manipulated that even when they think something is good, the past won't let them open up their own future. Having solutions for people didn't start with the solution, for me. In my life, it was always about the people. When I was young, I wanted to be a lawyer, but I ended up in business. It was my mom, actually, who showed me the world of marketing. I had no idea I'd end up there, but I loved watching her mind work, he sessions with my dad that felt like they were on fire, even from the top of the stairs or through the vents, where
Post a Comment
Read more

I love Memorial Day (and leave the BBQ's alone)

I love memorial day. I didn't used to think of it much and I BBQ all the time, so I'm not too impressed with all those cartoons running around. I love memorial day because I get to officially remember people, many of whom I think about consistently but It wasn't always this way. Remembering can be hard and (in my opinion) paying tribute to those memories are an individual choice. I was living away from my family, in Arizona and married to an individual that didn't prefer me having any connections to people outside of him. My grandmothers both passed away in this time and I was unaware. My grandmother in Florida was an adorable little woman when I got to know her as a young kid. From my mom's stories, I know it wasn't always that way. Grandma Gron had to be tough to live through my grandpa and I promise you, tough is an understatement. She raised three children and my mother is of the best I have the pleasure of knowing or to know or know of. I remember and c
Post a Comment
Read more

Past My Limit or Internal Lies. Three tips on personal motivation.

Every time I say to myself that I have reached my limit or that I'm past my limit, I have the instant emotional response that it's just not true. Like most, throughout my life I've had a variety of experiences, some pretty harsh trials and many lessons in endurance and perseverance. Here's a few tips on how to keep going when you feel there is no possible way you can. 1. Ignore reality. Not completely, but in some ways ignore the elements that make you feel there is no way out. Relationships that are ending, finances that are drained and the faith of others in your talents that has just run out are all real and actual problems. In personal and professional realms, there are times when you just can't see moving forward nor feel you have the strength to do so. I suggest you ignore it a little and get out of your current perspective. I can recall the day I drove into Millcreek Broadcasting, a small Utah radio group, to apply for a job. At twenty two I hadn't h
1 comment
Read more