Adam Lanier: 10 Years Later, Still Making An Impact

This is without question the toughest blog I have had to write in my six years of blogging.

Many of you know my only brother, Justin Adam Lanier, passed away of an accidental drug overdose after fighting substance abuse for six years prior. This Thursday, January 28 will mark 10 years since he left us in the physical.

Imagine your worst day ever. Well this day was 100 times as worst. And often it feels as it just happened.

Here are some tidbits/facts for those that didn't get the chance to know my brother, and for those that did.

1. He was born March 2, 1983 in Divine Savior Hospital in York, SC. (now closed). He arrived into the world feet first (breech birthed).

2. He was always very active and hyper, walking and running at only six months. To my recollection, he never had to learn, he just did it.

3. His baby names were "Lovey" and "Fatwad". If you saw his early pics, you would see why.

4. Adam was always popular, having many friends around. That continued throughout his life.

5. My brother had a natural gift with the ladies and young children. Both gravitated towards him. He was quite the entertainer. I'm confident he would have been an awesome father and possibly husband.

6. Adam was actually pretty smart in school, he just didn't apply himself. He was all about friends, girls, and fitting in.

7. His favorite holiday was Halloween and he made a huge deal out of it yearly.

8. He lived life to the fullest, possibly because he knew he didn't have a lot of time on Earth.

9. We didn't have a lot in common at all,  but one thing we shared was a deep and loyal love for our mother. No one messed with our mama!

10. Adam was in the high school marching and jazz band for six years, playing the drums. He won many awards and was simply skilled.

11. His resemblance to rapper Eminem was uncanny, especially once he dyed his own hair.

12. My mom's house was the local teenage hangout for a number of years. Many parties were thrown weekly.

13 He, like our grandpa Frosty, was extremely superstitious.

14. His death has inspired others in his circle and age group to do many great things. Many of them didn't want to be a statistic. I would give anything to get him back, but I take solace in the fact that others loved him so much and he made such an impact on their lives.

This day is never easy for me or my mother. We have learned to celebrate the man he was becoming, and to tell the positive stories of his life. He can be a cautionary tale and an inspiration.

R.I.P. Justin Adam Lanier #forever22

Forest "Frosty" Lanier: A Special Man That Still Has An Impact 30 Years Later

Monday, October 19, 2015 will be a bittersweet day for myself and my family. It is the day my maternal grandfather, Forest "Frosty" Lanier, lost his battle with lung cancer and left us in the physical. He was only 63.

Many people that knew him best: family, friends and such, have mostly good memories of him. I was only seven but I remember my Paw Paw being a loving, caring man. He would ride me in his Chevy truck all over and give me Little Debbie Zebra cakes and tell me not to tell my mom that I ate before dinner. He also fueled my love for reading as he went to the auction every Saturday night and bought me truckloads of books,some I still own.

I never got to hear his actual voice as around the time I was four, his larnyx was removed as a result of the cancer. He spoke with a voice buzzer the rest of his life. He also got me into court TV, never missing The People's Court with Judge Wapner. He allowed me to watch as long as I didn't make any noise.

Frosty lived quite a life in his 63 years. He was a World War II drill sergeant, and received the Purple Heart as a result of a serious back and lung injury. The Army gave him full disability as a result.

Given that he had a government check coming in, it would have been easy for him to kick back and take it easy. But this wasn't Frosty. He was way too active and energetic. He groomed hunting dogs and game roosters, made moonshine, grew two gardens and even painted houses. He was very active, plus he had a wife and two young kids (my mom and uncle Kenny) to think about. They may have not lived in luxury, but they never were without food and shelter. Frosty made awesome stews (his chicken stew is still the best in my mind) and owned every house and car he purchased.

He wasn't perfect though. He did illegally hustle, plus he was an alcoholic. Frosty was also a bit of an introvert and recluse. People, including my mom, saw past his faults and saw him for the kind hearted man he was. He didn't show affection often, but you knew he loved you.

Frosty left his children and grandchildren equal shares of his nearly five acres of land he purchased. I feel blessed to have land handed down to me and per his will, do not ever desire to sell my share.

He was a man of his time, but he had an unmatched swagger, hustle and determination. His time just ran short, and the Lord needed him more.

I have to rely mostly on stories from my mom and others. However that is how we keep him alive, along with the striking traits he also handed. Thus Frosty Lanier will never truly die.

R.I.P. Paw Paw Frosty, you believed in me before I knew to believe and you impacted many lives. I can't wait to meet you again.