Once upon a time, I had this uncle. To me, he was one special guy. He wasn't liked by all. I sure loved him, though. He was a hard working man. He was missing some teeth. He liked to eat his dinner while laying on the living room floor. He loved to change into his cut off jean shorts as soon as he could, after work. He carried his beer and cigarette in the same hand. He read the morning paper at the dining room table so his daughters and crazy niece could sleep on the sofa-bed. He would come in when we were having sleepovers and while we were giggling and chatting, instead of sleeping, and would say things to make us laugh harder. He loved his girls. He was so tough on the outside and so soft on the inside. Being the father of my life-long bestie, made him like my second dad. I loved him so much. He appreciated music. He had an attrack player in his work van. He heard the Mannheim Steamrollers version of Silent Night and was like putty. He really loved the end where the toy piano played. One Christmas Eve, twenty years ago, he popped a shrimp into his mouth...and never spoke again. I spent a lot of time grieving his loss. Today, I was driving down the road and just started to cry. I just thought about him. I felt like today was a perfect day to honor him. Uncle Jimmy, you still are the closest thing I've had to a second Dad. I still feel full of love when I remember you. I still wish I could wrap my arms around you. I still miss you. I love you. Thank you for considering me one of your girls.
Love,
Helen
It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!
