Uncle Ralph

Today I got news that one of my family members is heading soon to see Jesus.  News like this always brings two completely different feelings to my heart. One is excitement for him, for those that have gone before him, for Jesus. The other is an overwhelming sadness that is accompanied by a weight that sits in the middle of my chest.  This feeling usually trumps the other for a brief period as I think of all of the people that I love that love this man.  This particular man is the last of my Nana's siblings that still graces the earth.  And grace the earth and all those that have ever had the privilege
of being in his presence is exactly what he does.   I believe in a family when the last of a generation dies like this there is a sharp sword of reality that sets in.  The realization that those stories, those memories, those moments will slowly fade away with the ones that made them and told them.  That is how I feel about this man, this precious, gentle, amazing man that is preparing to meet his Creator.  I feel he holds the memories and stories of a family that we all love more than life itself and that as he slowly makes his way to heaven he will take with him a piece of all of us.

Uncle Ralph.  That is what we have always called him He's is my grandmother's youngest brother.  He is married to Aunt Joan and if I was one of his grandkids I could tell you for how long, but I am not.  I am actually his great niece.  That does not change at all how much I love him or the memories I have of him.  For my entire life, any and all of the events he attended I remember his presence.  When my grandmother turned 80 he is the first face I remember seeing as they all walked up her driveway to surprise her.  At the family reunions, he is always the one that I looked for first.  There are things about him that are unforgettable. The way he smiles, his blue eyes, his voice, the way he smells.  He is kind and humble and gentle.  He reminds me of my daddy in a lot of ways and I have to think that is why I always took to him. 


As I sit here in TN, too far away at a time like this, I pray for my sweet cousins as they deal with the reality that we have so recently dealt with when my Nana went to heaven.  I pray for their hearts. For peace. I pray for comfort as they prepare to say goodbye to one of best men I have ever known.  And I rejoice for those that are waiting, I have to imagine impatiently if I know my Nana, in heaven for his arrival!!! As for Uncle Ralph, he knows how much I love him and how much I will miss him and that one day I will see him again!!!