Uncle John

Received word today that my dad's brother John died quite suddenly. A good friend who visits him daily was unable to reach him by phone and went around to the house and discovered his body on the floor, quite at peace. Although John had lung problems for years, it does not seem to have been a respiratory attack that took him - probably something much more sudden and painless, thankfully.

I wish I could regale you all with stories, but the truth is that I hadn't seen him in over a decade and my childhood memories of him are quite faded. He was tall and highly intelligent. Apparently he had quite a knack for foreign languages and, from his Facebook postings, enjoyed playing with the English language. I never quite understood his sense of humour, but I know it was sparkling and witty. Any inability to 'get it' lies entirely with me.

John also had his share of difficulties in life.  A first marriage ended in divorce and family (two daughters) who eventually relocated across the country. A second marriage brought two sons who died in a plane crash (the older son was piloting and the younger one went along for the ride) and his second wife died as well. John lived alone, but he was not lonely. He had a rich social life and my dad says that sometimes it was hard to reach him on the phone, because he was out with friends or participating in some activity.

I talked at some length with my dad this evening and he's doing well and will be travelling to help with arrangements and be at the funeral. When I announced the death to my boys, who had never met my Uncle John, my youngest got quite sad and said "I never met him, and now I never will" - clearly quite attached to this relative he never knew. My oldest was a little more philosophical and cerebral, commenting about how there are many family members that we never meet, and how, in fact, we never meet most of our family.

Both got extra special long hugs today as a special request from their Grandpa.

I wish the same for everyone out there. Extra special long hugs to and from those you love.