My brother Harold and I were "Irish twins" -- born less than a year apart -- and were always very close. Harold was gay, sweet, charming and handsome (see photo below, left). I looked up to him in so many ways -- he was one of the most loving people I've ever known. We grew up in New Jersey, but when Harold was 18 he moved to New York City, and there were few things I loved more than to go visit him, to go to a club or concert, or just hang out with him.
It was very hard to be gay in the 1980s. AIDS was the nasty talk of the town. Everyone was frightened of becoming infected. It was a disease that was only just being figured out, but those in the gay community were disproportionately affected by it and it hung over that community like a dark cloud. My sweet brother was no exception.
It was hard enough to come out to an Italian family where a boy child was expected to take the family name and keep it going through the next generation. Although he had many friends, Harold was never going to have children. One of his friends was a girl named Peggy, who Harold had known since early childhood. They were really close -- through the years, growing up, Harold was there for Peggy and she was there for him. Peggy knew Harold's "secret" but she never judged him.
By the time they were both in their late 20s, they had had their share of bad relationships. Peggy was involved with a handsome man named Jeffrey, who was also a friend of Harold's. Though they never married, Peggy and Jeffrey had two sons. Sadly Jeffrey went down a bad road and ended up in jail, serving a life sentence for murder. Harold became the father figure to these two boys, whom he loved so much. He showered on them the attention he would have given his own kids if he'd been able to have children. He brought them into the city to visit him at his work; he bought them clothes for school and lots of Christmas presents. Most importantly, he spent his time with them, just talking to them, listening to them and encouraging their dreams. Peggy, Harold and those boys made a family of love. Theirs was a blended family way before the label even existed. I was extremely proud of my dear, sweet brother.
In the end, Harold contracted AIDS and died in 1991. Peggy and the boys grieved along with the rest of our family. I know they will never forget him, and that he'll never be forgotten by anyone who knew him. He brought a bigger, more inclusive love to us all.
As a psychic medium I am blessed to know that our loved ones never leave us. Harold is still with me and I know is working from the Other Side to "steer" many blessings to those he continues to watch over on this side. He is a highly evolved soul and often provides me with counsel (along with my father and mother, who with Harold make up what I like to call my "God Squad").
In fact, if it were not for Harold, I wouldn't even be writing this post. It was he, reaching out to me from the Other Side, who insisted that I go public with my ability; he told me how much people here need to be made aware of the undying connection we all have with God, and with the eternal spirits of all who we love. I truly speak for Harold now in sending his love to all who read this.
Love and blessings, ConcettaLove and blessings, Harold
To learn more, please visit www.concettabertoldi.com