Cutter the Crab
A Sister and Brother Collaboration
A decade ago, my brother was faced with what seemed to be almost certain death. He was read his last rites on three separate occasions, but each time overcame insurmountable odds and recovered.
I am the youngest of four siblings raised in East Texas on a beautiful lake surrounded by pine trees. My brother Billy – officially, William Coolidge III, was the second born and the most colorful of the family. He was a search and rescue specialist in the Navy and developed a true love of the sea after his service to our country. My brother was literally a late bloomer. He graduated from high school 5’6” tall and came home on leave from the Navy standing over 6’. He has always had a talent for art, but never wanted to be a starving artist, so he put that pursuit aside. Billy has always been the entertainer of any group and is excessively giving of himself. He always has a kind word and a true optimist, never viewing his glass as anything but half full. No doubt, his optimistic attitude has contributed to his recovery.
In 2010, Billy developed inexplicable, excruciating pain. After being admitted to the hospital and undergoing multiple tests, he was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. The next several months were spent in and out of hospitals, as my whole family rallied, taking turns by his bedside.
When I was in first grade and getting on the school bus the very physically big bully, of the school, knocked me down getting on the bus. My big brother was a bit further behind in line, and he jumped into action and punched the kid in the face. I won’t go into what happened next, but let’s just say he did his very best to make sure that kid never touched me again. I always knew I could count on him for love, support, or a sounding board, and he would always rescue me if I was in need, from the simple ask to the very big ones.
In my time with him at the hospital we would talk about our childhood, he would relentlessly flirt with nurses and did his best to maintain his edgy, jovial spirit. We found solace in beautiful music, and prayer and each family member held him tight as he was making his peace with God.
It was during a particularly rough patch in the hospital, I wept thinking about all of his creative talents and gifts as an artist. I concluded I needed to write a children’s book and my brother could be the illustrator. I have always wanted to be a writer and he has always thrived doing anything creative. Once out of the hospital, the collaboration gave us quality time together. We self-published the book, Cutter the Crab: Spring Break, and it is available on Amazon. Billy has since recovered and is a successful real estate broker in Dallas, Texas.
My whole family has many shared special memories on Abaco Island in Winding Bay. And our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Abaco, Bahamas as they recover from the devastation caused by the recent hurricane.
by Carolyn Sullivan | Nov 1, 2012
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