Mowing the Lawn, Riding With My Brother Dan Forever

The passing of my brother Dan represented one of the most difficult experiences I've faced in my life. We weren’t just brothers—we were best buddies. Our relationship was so intimate that we could remain silent for long stretches yet understand each other perfectly. A year after his death, my sister-in-law relocated to Alabama so she could live near my nephew. Before she departed, she asked me whether I wanted to take Dan’s old lawn tractor.

Of course, I said yes.

It was a Sears Craftsman mower, which lacked the sophistication of a John Deere or a Cub Cadet, but I didn’t care about that at all. It was my brother’s mower. That made it special. That made it priceless. Although I owned a mower myself, I quickly decided to give this one away. I had no need for two mowers, so deciding which one to keep was never an issue.

I experienced deep pride and emotion when I first brought it home. I quickly discovered that the old Craftsman required extensive repairs. After remaining unused for an extended period, the mower started to malfunction. The total cost for repairs exceeded $1,100. A $1,100 repair bill for a mower would be out of the question for me, but this machine had a special meaning. This was Dan’s.

Meridian Implement’s team performed repairs that restored the tractor to peak operating condition. I can’t thank them enough. Their work went beyond machine repair as they gave me a cherished piece of my brother to keep.

When I start the mower and begin cutting the grass, it feels like Dan is standing right beside me. It’s as if I can hear his laughter because he would be reminding me that my mowing lines are still crooked. But it brings me peace. It brings me joy. Each time I mow the lawn, now represents a shared moment with him. I even had to find a sticker that had his name on it, because it will always be Dan's tractor.

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HOW AUBURN STREET DRIVE-INS DEFINED ROCKFORD'S RETRO DINING CULTURE.

This old Craftsman tractor will attract no attention or prizes, but I consider it priceless. It’s family. During each mowing session, I know I’m working alongside Dan instead of being alone.

Thank you again, Meridian Implement. Every time I mow the yard, I have the chance to ride alongside my brother.