My oldest brother never backed down from a fight or a neighborhood bully in his life.

 It probably has a lot to do with his birth order. Or maybe his position as the designated person in charge. Most families have one. It can be an appointed position or earned through a series of ongoing family crises and you are unofficially selected and expected to handle it by default.

Growing up Chime held that position in our family. By the age of 14, he was already a veteran of defending, protecting, guiding, and directing us. Well at least the brothers under him. He could box like a prizefighter. Or shadow boxed like some of the greats. The two Joe’s (Louis and Frazier) and the one and only Ali. He was a champion chess player.

He played tennis, studied martial arts, and he was a shark on the pool table. Chime could…