Death in the family…
Yesterday/today was probably the worst day of my life so far. My uncle, Roy, died of a heart attack at the age of 42. Only 10 years older than myself. Other than my wife I’d probably consider him to be my best friend. He was more like a big brother than an uncle. He had only gotten married last October. His new wife Joan made him very happy. He was happier than he’d ever been since he met her.
We spent so many good times together I can’t even start to name them.
The time we drove straight through from Lake Powell to Austin overnight without stopping. By the time we were done our caffeine high had us giggling at the stupidest things.
The time he caught a 5 lb. bass using my tackle in a spot I had been working for a 1/2 hour when my back was turned.
Sneaking out late at night with him when I was a teenager to go to a D&D party.
Discussing our dreams of owning a houseboat on Lake Powell but never figuring out where we’d get the money to do it.
Planning a hiking trip down the Escalante River. Setting routes. Making supply lists for that trip we’ll make ‘next year’.
Driving up I-15 somewhere near the NV/UT border and passing a Coke from my truck to his at 75M.P.H., freaking out my wife in the process.
4th of July out at the ranch and having a firework go crazy shooting mortars everywhere and seeing him running for his life in the flashes of exploding mortars.
Christmas shopping for each other consisted of finding something you liked and buying two of them. One for you, one for him.
I can’t say how much he’ll be missed. Godspeed, dear friend.