Been a while huh? I really wanted to get this entry down before moving forward with all the other gook in my head, but it has been a couple of hectic weeks and I didn’t want to just whip something down. As I mentioned two posts ago, my uncle passed away. He was 66 years old. He and Aunt M went up to the camp on Lake Winnepesaukee along with most of my male cousins. I guess they were all planning on taking care of winterizing their boats and taking those last spins around the lake to enjoy the foliage. Around 9pm Friday night my cousins went into Wolfeboro to a bar to watch the Sox playoff game. I am not sure what time Uncle S and Aunt M arrived at the camp, but I do know that Uncle S went into the main house, while Aunt M went to the bunk house which is shared by them and my parents (each have a side) I guess Aunt M decided to go to sleep. She has some form of cancer of the blood which is in remission, and she was very tired. My cousins got back from the game around 11pm and found Uncle S in the camp, sitting in a chair. He was already cold. If there was any signs that this was to be his time, he never let on. My mom has taken this hard. He was only 11 months older than her. Her older brother who she fought with so fiercely you would have thought they invented sibling rivalry. And also her biggest protector. She often tells of a story where he nearly ripped a car door off its hinges getting her out of some guys car. Guess it was some bad boy. Mom was and still is quite naive.
  I was the first grandchild on my moms side of the family and since my mom was the only one married, I was quite spoiled. My grandfather and uncles doted on me. I was quite lucky to have all the attention to myself. Apparently this went to my head and when Uncle S married and had children of his own I got quite jealous. There are home movies to prove it. Heh!
  Uncle S and Aunt M have two children. Their daughter, who is their youngest, lives here my town, only 10 minutes away. Whenever her children had a dance recital or some other fun thing Uncle S and Aunt M would come to see them and we would inevitably run into them out to dinner at Friendly’s. My cousins favorite place. I looked forward to these times. Since we have all grown up and have our own families, it seems like the only times we see each other are weddings and funerals… and just about all of us are married.
  The wake and funeral were awful and wonderful at the same time. It was so nice to see everyone, horrible to be there for that reason, and wonderful to see the outpouring of affection for one of my favorite guys. The minister at the funeral did a really nice job. There wasn’t a lot of the “He is in a better place” shit, instead he acknowledged the pain. One thing in particular was about closure. He said he wanted the word removed from the English language, that closure represents the closing of a door. It was a word that had no place in this setting. I have to agree. He was buried at the same cemetery as my grandparents, and where my parents will be as well. It is one of those places where they do not do headstones, Just nameplates. Kind of weird that there is another cemetery almost across the street with headstones in it.
  My Dad has taken this hard as well. My Dad is two months older. He said several times it should have been him. That was hard to hear. Especially since 4 people I went to school with lost their father this year. I would like to think we have a lot more time. But this past month just makes me realize all the more that time is precious!!

OH! I can’t write about my Uncle without telling you about “Fool”. The name I have taken for this blog comes from him and my grandfather. It was one of those lovely “terms of endearment” they loved to use for each other. Just typing it can’t do it justice you have to hear the “ya fool!“ to really appreciate it. That was just one of his little phrases, but it was my favorite.

 

** The Massholes who decided it was fine to cut into the funeral procession. You suck!

** The Drama Queen’s Theater teacher who gave her an attitude when she explained she wouldn’t make practice due to a death in the family. You suck!

** To The Mr’s boss who had The Mr’s full-time associate call him during the funeral. You Suck!

** To whatever power thought it was a good idea to take away a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend. He was only 66. You suck!