Saying Good-bye to a Special Man

This month I'm participating in the Slice of Life Challenge.  Please visit Two Writing Teachers to read other Slice of Life stories and leave a comment or two.





For the last 5 years, I've had spaghetti dinner from the Italian Club in Akron with my Uncle Jack on the Tuesday of my spring break.  We began the tradition right after my Aunt Cathi died.  The two of them used to go to Carovalisse every Tuesday night when the club was open.  Two weeks after my aunt's death, I spent my spring break with him so he would't be alone in the house.  Being with him brought me the comfort I needed after losing my aunt and I hope that I did the same for him.

 This year, I was traveling for spring break and I made a promise to myself that I would get spaghetti with him this summer.  When I got a message from my mom to call her back, I could hear in her voice that something was wrong.  I called her from Charleston and got the news.  Uncle Jack had a heart attack the night before and passed away.

I have a hole in my heart.

So many wonderful memories...

He was my second dad whose arms opened for me without question when I needed a shoulder to cry on.  Growing up, he took my side whether I was right or wrong.  I knew that I could count on him no matter what.

  Uncle Jack was a dancer.  He and my aunt loved to dance and they knew how to cut a rug.   Dancing with him at my wedding holds a very special place in my heart.  As he guided me across the floor, he talked to me about having a happy marriage.  "You've got a good guy," he told me.  "You two are going to have a good life."   I took his words to heart because he and my aunt were my role models for a strong marriage.  I wanted what they had.

He lived life with gusto.  He loved with all his heart.  He argued with all his might.  And, oh, was he stubborn.  But, to me, he was the best.  I am going to miss him.

Uncle Jack and Aunt Cathi