UNCLE - May Angels Lead You In

My Uncle Rege passed away yesterday afternoon. I was at work when my cousin David called me and told me something was up. By the time I had called my mom, she let me know he was gone. A really stunning wrap up to the Thanksgiving weekend. That being said I give thanks for many things.

First, the way he passed. Uncle passed away in his big chair, watching movies, and by all signs, quietly. I am so thankful he didn't have to go to a hospital, endure a long ambulance ride, or he didn't have to go to any long term care. I am thankful that he set a good example for "making the rounds" before leaving. He got to visit most of his siblings this year and see his grandkids get old enough to remember him. I am very thankful that I got to hug him goodbye thanksgiving and tell him that I love him, cause I really do.

Second, I am thankful for his life and lessons that he taught me. My dad left when I was 12 years old. From day one, day one, he was there. We worked a celtic festival while my dad moved his stuff out. I have a picture, if I find it I will post it, me in a kilt / sweatpants but I thought it was cool, cause that is what Uncle wore. Even after I knew it wasn't cool, I still wore it because it was what Uncle wore. Uncle taught me how to work hard and long hours. I traveled with him from Indiana and Ligonier down to Stone Mountain, selling music at the Celtic Trader. He made me deal with the 16-18 hour days but we also had a lot of fun. He taught me how to work for a mean boss ;-). He never failed you remind you of a funny story. I will share two:

1. Christmas of 1984, a really warm Christmas, on Christmas Eve we had finished decorating a our tree and my mom looked at the ceiling and noticed a praying mantis, then another and another. They had hatched in the tree on Christmas Eve. Uncle had to come help my mom get the tree out of the house. Uncle was dragging our Christmas tree into the woods while Andy and I sat in the window and cried. We begged him not to throw away our Christmas tree. The following Easter he called my mom and said "Go ahead and tell them I ran over the Easter Bunny this morning." He felt horrible.

2. At the Wolftrap Celtic Music Festival we were hanging up signs and banners inside the tent in a really tall part. So tall that he had to use a ladder. I was holding the ladder when the butt end of a cordless screwdriver clocked me on the side of the head. I fell over but got back up, once I woke up, and got back to work. Uncle and I laughed about it and would continue to do so, even at Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night. On the RARE occasion that I would say something smart-alec-y he would be happy to remind me of the screw driver.

I am thankful for our long talks on random nights. I am thankful that he would call me at weird hours, just to chat. I am thankful that we had 5 years of Charlotte/Duquesne games, home and away, to spend together. I am sad year 6 will never come.

So here is to a varsity member of my "dad-by-committee" team! Here is to the tall & kilted! Here is to Uncle! May angels lead you in.

Hear You Me - Jimmy Eat World

There's no one in town I know
You gave us some place to go.
I never said thank you for that.
I thought I might get one more chance.

What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

So what would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.

And if you were with me tonight,
I'd sing to you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big,
God wouldn't let it live.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.