Oliver Diller

My dear cousin Oliver developed into a liberal man through his specific and singular experiences. Luckily, I get to share and learn from his musings whenever I come into his path. Through speaking with his good friend Frank, almost like a brother to him, I found that Oliver began his life search when he studied abroad in China. There catapulted his curiosity for cooking, traveling, plants, reading, and much more. Because of my love for reading and learning, I notice Oliver’s scholastic appetite. I sit with the kid and he has books on multiple genres — at the same time. If I am correct, he is reading a fiction book, a nutrition book, and a neurophilosophy book presently. Clearly the renaissance man is not extinct. Of all these wonderful things he loves, I choose three qualities that are prevalent through my lens. Oliver loves athletics, cooking, and spiritual enlightenment. Before I get into the gritty of the contemporary Oliver, I need to shed light on his upbringing.

Oliver was born to Julie and Tom Diller in Brooklyn, NY. He was a tan, chipper, blonde-haired thrill that showed potential as a toddler. He went through all mandatory levels of education in Brooklyn. At all levels Oliver competed and excelled in athletic endeavors. His most portentous sports were soccer and baseball, although he played many others. His hand-eye coordination was and remains strong, where he has a keen sight for hitting, kicking, and catching balls. My most favorite sport memory we share does not deal with any of his deeper athletic disciplines. It does, however, involve his unique talent to make improbable athletic moments.

Wow, I shake my head in awe when I think about this next memory. My family and Oliver’s family were in Florida together for a vacation. Immediately outside of the front door is a landing and to get to the top of the landing you must walk up 20 stairs. When you looked to the left, there was a basketball hoop on the driveway. As the crow flies, this hoop was about 60–70 yards away from the closest part of the landing. Myself and a few others happened to be waiting on the landing when Oliver darted out of the door with a football in his hand. What the hell was he going to do? In a graceful manner, he chucked the football directly at the hoop. I kid you not, the ball flew perfectly into the net for a swoosh. We began to guffaw because of the absurdity. Oliver with a childlike reaction ran around with his hands held high. It was so funny and great at the same time! Maybe it was coincidence, or it was Oliver’s uncanny ability to make awesome athletic instances happen. Oliver has that gift.

Along with his gift for athletic spontaneity, he fosters a deep passion for food and the possibilities hidden within mixtures. Almost like a scientist or alchemist, Oliver moves through the kitchen with an understanding of the foods around him. Just the other day Oliver and I went on an adventure to the local market to buy some almond milk and peanut butter. Oliver had a concoction on his mind. By the time we arrived back home the blender was out and being loaded with yummy peanut butter, almond milk, ice, and honey. The result was a damn tasty smoothie! He possesses a mindset of experimentation whenever he has food in front of him. Having the audacity to make something interesting and wild in its tastes has made Oliver a burgeoning chef. He runs the kitchen with ease. I cannot wait to see his growth in this passion of his.

Side by side with his peculiar interests, Oliver foments his spiritual awakening. He does this in multiple different fashions: by following and interpreting the lessons of a few spiritual gurus, reading texts, and speaking about his beliefs and feelings. In an experimental world, where testing is essential, Oliver seems to be going in a positive direction. Sitting and discussing these topics with him, while I take my enlightenment and search seriously, I am energized and also a bit unstable. He challenges me to consider different and somewhat tenuous beliefs I possess. Oliver is a beacon. Thank you for keeping your incisive mind going.

My man, Oliver! I am lucky to be your cousin and to have grown up by you like a brother. Reviewing photos when I was a child mostly involve you and your family. It is very simple to say that we have had so many memories and would require a whole novel to share one story after another. Like the time when you were stung by a jellyfish on the beach. The invertebrate being jostled around on your body not because it wanted to, but because of your panic. We all rushed home to load your skin up with baking soda. This memory is so faint. That speaks to how far back our brotherhood goes. Maybe a more fond and light memory is when we drove to pick up Adrien, our cousin, at 4 in the morning after he had gone home with a girl! Always by my side and a teammate. I imagine what the next 25 years and unforgettable memories we will share together. I appreciate our inseverable family tie that is eternal. Whatever you end up doing, I am sure it will be done with great care and thought. I do not expect anything less from you. Thank you for being you. Love you.