September 23

The family has all left after being around for a week and a half or so. Two thursdays ago, we lost my Uncle Sam. There had been a motorcycle accident. One Thursday ago, we buried him.

 
  Uncle Sam was our holiday turkey carver. He lived with and looked out for Uncle Johnny, he made sure my mom was taken care of if she needed any help. I practiced my french braids on his long hair when I was little, and traded him trinkets for other trinkets he had found. He loved family, and we love him. When Uncle Johnny was living with my mom and I while recovering from his train accident (he was hit by a train. I don't know how that happens, but it did), his physical therapist said we needed to widen our step into the garage to accommodate the walker. I mentioned it to Uncle Sam, then left to take Uncle J to an appointment. When we got home a couple of hours later, it was already done.

I may like to claim that I'm his favorite niece, but really, there are probably 50 nieces to choose from. What I know for SURE is that our family feels the hole he left. We congregated, we said a lot of I love yous and meant them wholeheartedly.We may not be quiet, or normal, or even always sober, but we sure love each other to pieces. Miss you more than I can tell you, Uncle Sam.