My Uncle and some other things....

I actually started this blog last month, and had to take a little break from it.  So here it is....

In August my Uncle passed away.  It was unexpected, and I still don't even know why it hit me as hard as it did, except for the fact that he was my last blood uncle left.  Also, my cousins (his kids) and I were only a year apart, one older than me and one younger than me.  Even though they moved to Michigan when we were all just kids, summer breaks, Christmas trips up to Michigan, and then later on Spring Break trips all made the distance not seem so far. 

Not every family is close, and probably there were years where I didn't really interact with him much at all or my cousins for that matter.   If FB and social media have been good for anything, it has helped in my opinion to bring people closer that live far apart.  FB allowed me a relationship with my Uncle that I wouldn't have had without it, I know that for sure.  Even though most of our interaction was based purely on politics, and him trying to rile me up by going against everything I agreed with, I am still super thankful for the interaction. 

This year my sisters and I along with my 2 cousins decided to have a cousin reunion.  The 5 of us make up the younger cousins on my Dad's side of the family.  We spent a lot of time together as kids.  As adults the time together has been defined by weddings, babies, and funerals.  Isn't that the case as we get older?  We don't take time out to just be with each other.  We only see each other on those special occasions. 

I'm so glad that we took the time to have our cousins reunion in Michigan this year.  I am even more glad that we took the time to go visit my Aunt and Uncle before our weekend adventure ended.  Those memories from that visit will be the ones that I hold deep in my heart.  Sitting at what used to be my Grandparent's table talking about various adventures.  Eating Little Caesar's pizza, and salad straight from the back deck and my Uncle's garden.  The moment when he wanted to start talking politics and my cousin told him we weren't doing that.  My only regret from that visit, is not getting a picture.  But here's the thing, I have the memory of his hug.  I have the memory of how he looked when he said good-bye.  Those things can't be caught in a picture.  The way his eyes lit up when he saw us, and we talked about old times. 

My Uncle was in a hunting accident about 23 years ago.  He fell out of a tree and became paralyzed from the waist down.  In the past 2 months I have learned a lot more about that accident than I ever knew before.  I was only in high school when he had the accident.  I didn't go up to Michigan to visit, my sisters and I stayed at home and another older cousin came to stay with us.  But I learned that my Uncle was only expected to live at the most another 10 years.  Most people that break their back don't live as long as he did.  Another thing I learned is that he never stopped helping people.  The reason he was loved by so many was because he was always wanting to help others.  He didn't know a stranger, and he was always willing to have anyone over at the drop of a hat.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Probably one of the best.  Before my Grandparent's passed away he would come down to Missouri every hunting season.  I'm sure it wasn't an easy trip.  In fact it was probably pretty awful at times, but he made it anyways.  He made it because family and hunting were important to him.  He probably also did it, because my Grandma would wait on him hand and foot! 

My Uncle Randy could have given up on life.  He could have stopped hunting, and fishing.  He could have just sat around and let life pass him by.  In some ways I am sure he felt like he was doing that.  But to those of us looking in from the outside he wasn't at all the kind of man to just give up.  He kept going.  He did what he had to do to keep doing what he loved.  I am sure there were frustrating moments, you try not being able to walk for 20 plus years.  But you know what?  He never gave up.  I am sure as he was getting older it was harder and harder to be confined to a wheelchair.  I bet he would have given anything to get up and run around with his grandkids. 

We don't have any idea what tomorrow is going to bring.  We don't know where we are going to be or how long we have.  The best that we can do is make the most out of every second.  Our family and friends, don't always do things the way we wish they would.  In fact sometimes they do things quite opposite of what is expected.  But if I have learned anything at all from my Uncle, I have learned to never stop having adventures and doing the things that light up my life.  For me my greatest joys come from my faith, my friends, my family, and new adventures. 

In reflecting on the kind of man my Uncle was, I hope that I can take some of his adventure and compassion with me along the way.  I long to be a person that sees the good in everyone.  Someone that is able to help those around me, even when I have no energy left to be helpful.  I long to have faith that no matter what God is in control and has my BEST in mind. 

I hope this was a good tribute to him.  I know that I miss him like crazy, but I am so glad that I got to have him in my life for 37 years.  This world is a better place because of him.  Because of what he taught to others, what he gave the Missouri hunting community, and how he loved his family.  I'm thankful for an Uncle that showed me God's love and compassion for others.  May I always remember him, and what he brought to this world.