A couple of weeks ago my mom's brother, Uncle John, drove up the east coast from Florida to visit friends and family along the way. I haven't seen uncle john in years... many years. I never really knew him well, but I knew that my Mom always wanted family around more, so it would be nice to have him visit.
He settled in fairly well upon his arrival, the kids warmed up to him quickly sweetly referring to him as "big uncle john". He lit up when the kids called him, and giggled when they were naughty....
He was a joy to have around. A silent presence, but a peaceful one at that.
I never would have expected his presence to be so meaningful. ( I know that sounds terrible, but I never really knew him growing up, and how much would we catch up on in his visit... )
Well Last week wednesday my mother found john dead. He had died in his sleep. His autopsy revealed his arteries had hardened so much he couldn't get any blood to his heart. Who would have known.
When Ryan came home to tell me, I was shocked. But truthfully I was not surprised.
I got this amazing flash, like in the movies when flashbacks come and go, one image after another. I saw John's last couple weeks, his pilgrimage up the east coast, his arrival to my parents home, his laughter, his presence, the joy in his eyes. Then the whole thing made sense. It was this great big plan... God's plan. He brought John to us, to know us, to teach us, so that we might teach him. John was surrouned by a family, by unconditional love, by the joy that young children bring. These were things he had never really had for himself. What a gift. What a blessing to have been a part of such a plan.
John left such an imprint on me. I expect him to be sitting at the counter when I arrive at ma & pa's, but he's not. (I'm sure he is in spirit.) He was a man that most people never would have thought twice about, average joe if you know what I mean. But maybe that's just it, God uses those average joes for great works.
He taught me one of the most valuable lessons I'll ever learn.... that life is too short.
It's not about what we have or where we live. It's about the joy that comes from family, it's about the laughter we share, the tears we cry together, and the unconditional love that we have been so blessed to be a part of.
We will miss big uncle john, more than he'll ever know. But because of him, we'll love a little deeper, laugh a little harder, and hold tight to the days we've been given.
Because life is just too short.
