The Passing of A Friend
It’s funny how in such a disjointed world where families seem tossed and split apart by many miles, the passing of a relative suddenly makes the miles seem shorter.
I have a favorite Uncle, he’s always been my fav, and he’s really more than just an Uncle, he’s a Great-Uncle. Not only is he a “great” Uncle, but he really was a “Great-Uncle”. He was my Dad’s Uncle, which made him a Great-Uncle to me. Even that is rather surprising in a world of dysfunctional and broken families. Many people stand in awe when I start telling them of the many relatives I at one time had. However, now with the passing of Uncle Jack, the number of relatives, at least in the area of Aunt’s and Uncle’s is rapidly diminishing.
Uncle Jack was around 90 at his passing yesterday. He lived a good long life, and if there’s one thing I learned from Uncle Jack, it’s the fact that no matter what the circumstances might be around us, always take time to have fun. Uncle Jack had many pains throughout his life, but no matter what, he always had fun. Whether it was slipping me a glass of wine in my younger years at a Christmas family gathering, flirting with the girls around him, or simply picking on my Mom in a loving and joking way, Uncle Jack exemplified a man of integrity, a man of passion, a man of committment, and yes, a man who looked at life and laughed, no matter what. He’s also the one who told me my wife was a “keeper”. 
This week we’ll shorten the miles separating our family ties by crossing the border into Canada. Suddenly the 4 or 5 hour drive seems like nothing, so we can come together, cry together, and yes, even laugh together, as we remember the “Passing of a Friend”.
I’ll miss you Uncle Jack — my Great-Uncle in many ways.
