My Brother- By Jacquline Bassett

As the eldest of a five-sibling family, and physically the smallest, I looked UP to my brother. He possessed leadership and activities as an accomplished skier, sportsman, bicyclist, horseman, camper, reader, doctor, bow- hunter, sharpshooter, naturalist, trail boss, and healer.

My brother was a warrior, a determined spitfire of the Dakota prairie. He took on extraordinary challenges like it was a cakewalk. Generations of pride, honor, and stubborn commitment led him to successes that most would only dream of. With men like my brother I can understand how the “West was won”. He had the grit of an attorney and could win an argument with even a skunk, a mule, or a rattlesnake. My brother was “home on the range”. His posture as an inhabitant of the land and the great outdoors filled me with dreams of my own life under the stars and among the native plants. (For a 4-H project in 1956 he made an extensive and detailed presentation of native South Dakota plants, and I loved to read from it). My brother had many passions, some of which were to collect and preserve the heritage of the True Old West, and to continue as an active healer of the earth and sky, and many “saddle-bag remedies” were often offered. He was a genuine trapper-style mountain man, not unlike Jim Bridger.

My Brother was a fine-tuned cowboy with the classic style of Wyatt Earp or a Texas Ranger. The Texas Rangers, it was said were as tough outfit of lawmen who could “ride like Mexican, trail like an Indian, shoot like an Oklahoman, and fight like the very devil.” My brother was wise, weathered and steadfast.

My brother obtained the brilliance and sensitivity of a turn of the century country doctor who gave his entire career (32 years) to four generations of New Mexicans. There were no PPO’s, HMO’s or CEO’s. This man gave from his heart to many in need and at the time of their need, who may, or may not, have had money to pay their doctor bills. Bartering and trade were some of the ways he assisted them in solving their medical expenses.

My brother’s love for his beloved yard and garden gave way to many hours of planning and preserving its beautiful brilliance. His time spent among the flowers, bushes, trees, and shrubs melted his heart, and his posture became as gentle as a lamb and as soft as the whisper of God.

My brother was an artist who gave me and other family members his creative and interesting wood art, such as old barnyard frames. I treasure the flower art print in the barn wood frame and the octagonal shaped frame presentation he made for Grandma French’s handmade crocheted doily.
My Brother was an animal lover. When growing up he would always be concerned about the health and safety of each barnyard specimen, especially the horses and calves. His 4-H projects were extensive and led to even an interest in the neighbors’ pet buffalo. Most recently his beloved buckskin, Bebe was one of the loves of his life.

My brother’s successes were many. It is said that “Success is the size of a hole a man leaves when he dies.” My brother was that man.