Uncle Jim

My Grandpa's brother, Jim, passed away last week.  He left behind three brothers and a sister... Each one of them embodies everything good that I remember from their mother, my Great Grandma Margaret ~ who I was lucky to know and have in my life until I was 24 years old!  Tyler even got to spend a brief amount of time with his Great~Great Grandmother, though he has no memories to confirm that ~ only pictures.  My grandparents lived next door to Uncle Jim & another brother, Uncle Ron, for years and years.  So when we spent time at my grandparents' house, it was not unusual to see them as well.  

Uncle Jim was kind and gentle and funny.  He had the type of personality you are drawn to!  He always seemed genuinely interested in knowing me, his niece's daughter, and my siblings.  He was always teasing, looking for a laugh.  He smiled easily and often.  Just like Great Grandma.  His death brings me to a place in my memory where I can see him and her as well, in him.  

Uncle Jim was very generous and couldn't turn his back on his family.  When his grand daughter had a baby at a very young age ~ before she was ready for the responsibility, he and his wife, Aunt Pat, took their great~grand daughter into his home and raised her like their own child.  At their age, that could not have been easy!

My mother's side of the family turns these occasions into big family reunions.  There will be tears one moment, thinking about the loved one we have just lost, and the next moment they'll be laughing... remembering the person that we knew.  It's been awhile since we buried someone ~ or at least since I was able to be there for the funeral... Great Grandma Margaret ~ 5.5 years ago.  I feel like I should be there now with my family as they celebrate Uncle Jim's life tomorrow.   I feel I should be there to hug my grandpa and his remaining siblings... I feel the need to see my family, to touch them and to cry with them.  For Uncle Jim and Grandma Margaret, because when he died... she died again too, a little bit ~ the part of her that was still loving in him.  As her children pass on, I fear she will be here in this world less and less.   I feel the need to hold on to her as much as I can... she made this world a better place.

Uncle Jim's death was expected and merciful.  He was suffering from cancer and there was no hope of his recovery.  He became someone different at the end, and I am lucky that I do not have to remember him that way.  He will always be smiling in my mind.