A Long Two Days

We received word Sunday night that my Uncle Bob (dad's brother) passed away. Of course after hearing the news planning the 3 hour trip to Henderson, KY began. When is the funeral, whose riding with who and when are we leaving? Were all questions that kept the telephones hot.

In the recent past his home had been transformed from a quaint cozy little cabin tucked away in the woods to a cold stark room in a rest home where his daily attire was a gray pajama top with matching bottoms. This became his new address roughly 4 1/2 years ago after the diagnoses of Alzheimer's became too much for his wife of (then) 53 years could handle.

During the sermon the minister made reference to how my Uncle wouldn't pass because he felt as though some loved ones wouldn't allow him to go, they weren't ready to say goodbye. But as you could tell by the look on their worn faces they had fault the battle just as long and hard as he had and they simply had no fight left and ultimately had given up and were ready to send him home.

My mother's son, not as smart as he would have you believe, made a statement that was actually right on the money when he said "Uncle Bob has been dead for 2 years, he just didn't know it." That was about as true as true could get. However, I will never let him know that he has ever said anything that had any insight or an intelligent reference to it what so ever. I simply followed up the remark with "you're stupid!"

The one part of my trip I feel everyone should experience at least once, and I don't mean via movies, is a funeral with full military honors. Uncle Bob was a retired Army Corporal and a retired Sargeant for the Nat'l Guard. The visual of seven armed soldiers standing along side the grave as though they were guarding him from an unseen enemy was a sight to behold. But when they were given orders and sounded 21 shots for the 21 gun salute followed by the playing of taps was a very emotional, gut wrenching experience. A folded American flag was then given to my Aunt by a white gloved soldier who then saluted and thanked her for Uncle Bob's military duty. If you have never felt the pride of being an American, trust me; You will!

It was actually really nice to see everyone again. I wish it had been under better circumstances but it was really nice to see how everyone has changed. Unfortunately, the last time we got together was when another of dad's brother passed away 6 years ago.

We ended this visit just as we ended the visit 6 years ago - protesting and declaring that we promise to get together more often, plan a family reunion and not loose touch. When in reality we all knew it was a big fat lie. Not intentionally of course, but it just seems we simply don't make or take the time and put EVERYTHING else at the top of our priority list. And before you know it you are being notified that another has passed away. The really sad part about the whole thing is my dad had 5 siblings, my dad being the youngest. Four of them have passed away, leaving him and only one other brother. It just makes me feel time with my dad is becoming less and less as each day passes. That's why I will (I promise-It's in writing which means it's official) make more time for him. Although he lives in the same town as I do I don't visit and spend as much time with him as I need to because something always more "important" seems to come up.