Standing O for Brian

It was a "Big Brother" event yesterday as hundreds packed a Kootenai County fair building yesterday to honor the life of Coeur d'Alene attorney Brian Long, who died from a heart attack two weeks ago.

Along with all those people came a lot of love and heartfelt hugs for Brian's family where he was the big brother to seven-plus siblings.  

He was also first son, beloved uncle and admired cousin. Along with extended family members, many attendees knew Brian professionally or as a valued, caring friend at sometime during his 53 years.  

Often while babysitting, in Mom and Dad's absence, Brian organized living-room talent productions, starring his brothers and sisters. 

According to Mason, one of Brian's little brothers who spoke eloquently at the service, the Long family siblings generally did what Brian told them to do. 

After all, he was the big brother who would also serve as judge, deciding the winners of that particular day's talent show. 

While speaking of his "Bad Ass" brother who actually got to carry a pocket knife, go camping outside and wear a uniform as a Boy Scout, Mason remembered being most awestruck when Brian pitched for his little league team.

The pitcher was the most important member of the team, Mason recalled, and, by golly, that was his big brother. 

So, it seemed fitting to use a baseball analogy for Mason to describe Brian's life journey. 

He noted highlights from each inning, pointing out really special times when he, as little brother, got to come on to the playing field and spend time with his big brother.  

One of those field appearances for the two occurred during the years when they were Sigma Chi fraternity brothers at the University of Idaho, where Brian served as ASUI president. 

Mason figured that time in Brian's life was probably one of his best innings, as did another speaker who knew him well during his college experience. 

Those attending at yesterday's service also learned from Brian's colleagues, including senior District Judge Debra Heise, about the skilled, smart attorney who extended to each of his clients well-thought-out guidance and extra special care.  

Judge Heise also shared that whenever a case came into the court where Brian was representing a client, there was a consistent feeling of reassurance and confidence in his professionalism. 

At the end of the service, the judge took a little different approach in bringing the service to a close, asking the audience for a standing ovation. 

In this case, many years after his living room talent shows,  Brian's life story turned out to be the performance, while all who loved and respected him got to play judge. 

By the sounds of the applause and judging from the multitude of meaningful and hilarious stories told by family and friends before, during and after the service, Brian was certainly a popular performer on life's stage. 

It was a meaningful service for a truly admirable big brother and good man who made a positive difference in the lives of so many.