SHANE’S BIRTHDAY 2022
Family History by Phillip Elton Collins
It’s the early 1950’s twin brother Bill and I are seated
in the backseat of Mom and Dad’s green Hudson Hornet. We are at a drive-in and
very excited because the movie SHANE is about to begin. The movie speaker is
hooked to the side of the car window and we are glued to every word and scene
coming through the car’s front window.
As a fair headed boy is introduced to the storyline, I
noticed that my brother is becoming very emotional. Suddenly he announces to
all of us, “If I ever have a son, he will be named Shane.” It was a declaration
and prediction of the truth that somehow, we all knew was true.
So, you Shane were in our hearts and minds long before
you became a physical reality. You were imprinted in our reality long before
you came to the planet.
As your father matured into a handsome and strong man,
the other boys wanted to be him and the girls just plainly wanted him!
I remember fondly when your Dad and Mom began dating
early in high school. Barbara Lee was a somewhat shy beauty but had a quiet
power within her. They had a ‘cosmic connection’ which was palpable. Soon Babs
and Bill were married.
The nation and world were turned upside down with
cultural and sexual revolutions in full force, along with the unpopular Vietnam
war. Your Dad did everything he could to avoid being drafted but eventually
they caught up with him. With native American blood racing through his veins,
your Dad was a ready-made warrior. He had mastered the way of nature and the
forest and weapons. In truth, no man could have been more prepared for battle
than your father. The many photos of him in battlefields attest to his comfort
and skill in being in such situations.
When you were born and a young fair-haired boy can into
fruition, the prophesy of your being was confirmed.
Surviving battle, your Dad finally came home as a honored
warrior. Sadly, we lost him in a motorcycle accident during a business trip
with your Grandfather. It was more than ironic after surviving all throughout
the war this would come to pass once, when he came home. As a twin I knew the
moment he left his body.
As we as a family gathered to attempt to explain what
happened to you and your sister, irony continued as I realized you were the same
age as my father when he lost his father.
Your father was one of the first to die in our high
school. Many turned out to support his passing. My New York City partner Tony
at the time comforted your Mom being at her side at the funeral home.
The entire nation was celebration during 4th
of July events but we were in deep mourning. As tall ships filled New York City harbor, we
cried.
Pulling on the that ‘quiet power’ within her and her
faith your amazing Mom rallied and became a super-single parent. She passed on
to you her compassion and caring for others and her determination to be and do
the right thing. The hero in your upcoming is definitely your Mom, with the
support of your other family members. While I was travelling the world with a
demanding film career, my thoughts were always with you, my brother, my parents
and your Mom. Bill’s presence was always with me. That has never changed.
Fast forward to now: no one other than my twin could have
ever predicted who you have become today. A devoted husband, father of a large
family and even larger family as a Grandfather and soon to be a great
Grandfather. Through all the ups and
downs of life being a successful provider with an equally skilled wife and
partner always at your side.
You and Andrea’s connection was and is very much like
Babs and Bill: devoted and eternal.
Words cannot express how proud I am of you, Andrea and
the successful human beings you have created. Your daughters and son are some
of the finest examples of humanity I know.
As I enter the last quadrant of this lifetime, I am
thankful for being able to express and share all that is said here.
In Unconditional and eternal love, Uncle Phillip Elton
Collins
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