Brothers and Blessings

It was a long week. I had Monday off and took vacation on Tuesday. While I got a lot accomplished, I am kinda tired. But not too tired to tell you about Andrew.

Andrew Atkins, another member of the Lima Losers, is my hero. I feel like this is one of those fifth grade essays where you are assigned to write about someone you admire and after you've thought your way through Superman, Michael Jordan, and Mother Teresa, you settle on someone in your family. If you find those things cloying, stop reading.

This is my favorite picture of Andrew. He is holding his son Caleb who is now already four. I love it though, because it shows Andrew as the big, loving bear that he is. It's actually Reverend Andrew. He and his wife Jenny pastor a small country church outside of Spencerville - the Monticello United Brethren Church. It is the quintessential country church, perfect for Andrew. He loves to hunt and preach and shoot the --well---breeze with people. He is a stand up guy who is mature way beyond his age.

Speaking of age, he is my YOUNGER brother. When we're together, people will often ask who is the older. I say nothing and try to let them draw their own conclusions. Drew, however, is quick to point out that I am actually 15 YEARS older than he - and then salts the aging wound by informing them that I started college and he started preschool on the same day. Tender. Oh so tender.

The age difference meant that I didn't really get to grow up with Andrew. I was out of the house with no possibility of meaningful return, since my sister took my room 11 seconds after I hit the freshman dorm. But that doesn't mean I don't have good stories about him.

Andrew is about the funniest person I know. He can crack a room up as surely as he can conjure homiletical images of fire and brimstone. I have lots of embarrassing anecdotes about pet rabbits and his squabbles with my sister Beth, but I will spare you (unless you donate $19.95 before midnight).

The most important thing about Andrew, however, is that he loves to eat. I got a text message from him today at 4:30 - "weigh in after Chipotle not good idea". It seems that he was carousing in Fort Wayne and found his way to his favorite Mexican haunt and of course got extra sour cream with his nine pound beefy burrito. His first love overcame his altruism. Eh, that's okay.

To understand just how much he loves to eat, you must journey the way of the Dog-N-Burger. Andrew went to college at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Not only were the wonders of being at college, learning new ideas, and living in a dorm available to him, but the world of the Windy City was his oyster. Moody sits right off the Magnificent Mile - a stretch of Michigan Avenue that pulses with museums and shopping and urban energy.

And none of it meant anything to him. At all. Not academia, not the Art Institute, not the throngs of people who rushed past the Sears Tower or John Hancock building. All of these paled in comparison to the Dog-N-Burger.

It seems that near the campus was some hole-in-the-wall diner/burger joint/petri dish that was just the kind of place he loves to frequent. And this culinary Eden sired the Dog-N-Burger. The Dog-N-Burger was, in his esteem, the most glorious of all creations - perhaps the eighth wonder of the world.

It was a hotdog INSIDE of a hamburger smothered in cheese sauce and sauerkraut and eight or nine other condiments, certainly including e-coli. And it was his favorite thing. Ever.

When he came home for Fall break, we all crowded around the kitchen table asking him the usual things about college - do you like your roommate? Is the campus safe? How are you doing in your classes?

Phhhhhht.

What we got was a rapturous, misty-eyed description of the Dog-N-Burger. He declared it inspired and went on and on an on, describing in detail each artery-clamping morsel until he became so moved he had to take a momentary time out to compose himself.

More than a decade later, he still glazes over when the Dog-N-Burger is mentioned. The guy loves his grub. That's why it is so meaningful to have him as a Lima Loser - he is sacrificing his emotional firstborn on the altar of community service.

But he does that all the time - for his family, for his church, for his community, for people he helps as an EMT, and for people he's never met on his many mission trips. And he did it for me - without hesitation - when I called to recruit him for the Big Give. He's used to such calls - I impose on him all the time for help. Like the time the guy who reads the gas meter heard something scrawling in my ductwork and left a sign that said, "CAUTION LIVE ANIMAL INSIDE" taped to my furnace. Call Andrew 911 and he came and trapped something (I didn't ask).

It is a blessing to have Andrew for a brother and to have him as part of the Lima Loser team. If you haven't met him - take the time to do so. You won't regret it.

And don't forget to ask him about the Dog-N-Burger.