Her Hand, Holding His, For Us All...

 Hi.

This week, I'm taking a break from the big picture. This week, we say goodbye to Uncle Bob. 

I wish everyone, every single person on the planet, through the course of their lifetime, could experience someone like Uncle Bob.

A sweeter soul, you'll never find. The uncle to an overwhelming number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews, even some double greats, always ready with a smile, and a "Hey, Turkey."

A quiet guy, loved by soooooo many. 

Bob was special. Never in a hurry, always having time to help in any way he could, always ready to chat, and always ready to take the side of an underdog. He grew up in a time in which his uniqueness wasn't always appreciated as it should have been. This made him resilient and contributed to a strength the rest of us can only wish for. 

My memories of Uncle Bob come from when I still lived at home and he still lived with Grandma and Grandpa. When he was at the house, you could usually find him in the basement, either reading a Louis L'Amour novel, or playing pool. He was always willing to show you how to play, and was more than patient, at least until you became good enough to win the odd game.

Bob carried within him, such a profound gentleness, especially for those he deemed in need of protection. An amazing spirit with so much to teach everyone around him. I regret that when I lived near, when the opportunities were most abundant, I was too young, too oblivious, to understand and appreciate what a precious resource he was.

He navigated through his life under the protective wings of Grandma and Grandpa, and when they became unable to do so, his siblings. A life made as big as possible. Sadly, his final years were pretty tough,  having to deal with a lot of discomfort, loss, and pain, but still able to muster a smile. 

Thankfully and gratefully, he didn't have to do any of that alone.

In his final moments, his hand was held by his baby sister, someone who loved him dearly. My hope is that she, and he, could feel the love for him, coming from so many, flowing through her fingers, washing over him, as he breathed his last breaths. Her hand, holding his, for all of us. 

I hope he really understood just how much he was loved and will be missed.

Now, he's at peace. No more discomfort, no more pain. No more doctors. No more people fussing. 

Now, he's free.

The impact Uncle Bob had on each of us will be different. Each of us will have our own memories, our own lessons, our own experiences.

My plan is to revisit some of my favourites, sit with them a minute, and, with any luck, glean the lessons I was too young to appreciate when they happened. 

We love you Uncle Bob. Rest in blissful peace. You earned it. 

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Until next time...

May everything you ever dreamed of be laid at your feet.

May everything be easy, without even a hint of struggle, your bliss, complete.

May you now know, if you didn't before, just how much you were loved and will be missed.

May you ride off into one of the famed sunsets you loved to read about, the hero, writing your own plot twist. 

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