My brother died drinking and driving--I pray for his soul

I had a brother. He was my only sibling. He died several years ago in a car accident. He was drinking and driving.

I can’t afford to put fancy flowers on his grave. I certainly can’t afford to set up a scholarship fund in his memory. I can’t do anything to make him “live on.” Pictures fade and left behind possessions gather dust.

Since, as Catholics, we know that we can pray for the souls of the dead—that love transcends death—it could be said that in praying for his soul, I’m able to do more for him now, with God’s grace, than I was able to do for him when he was alive.

I can’t take away an ounce of my mother’s pain. I can’t build a time machine, return to that fateful predawn hour, and pick him up from the bar for a safe ride home.

But, thanks be to God, I can pray for his soul. And for that, I am grateful.