Today is my Uncle Mike’s birthday. He is my father’s brother. They were very close growing up and had a bond that few of us will ever experience. They were identical twins.
If you notice I use the word “were.” That would be because my daddy passed away 27 years ago. I was 14 years old. Daddy was only 38-he had a massive coronary with no warning and was gone in the blink of eye one Friday afternoon.
Even though it was 27 years ago, sometimes the pain will hit me and I have to stop, take a step back and just remember to let it go. The death of a loved one is not something you ever really get over you just learn to live a little differently. I miss my Daddy something fierce.
He was a man that loved my momma. My mother has said not only did she lose her husband but she also lost her best friend. And that is devastating. To lose both in one fell swoop. He loved to laugh, was adored his little ole ladies he taught in Sunday School, and was an excellent salesman. He often talked in his sleep trying to sell stuff to people. He was in the oil and gas business and was a smart cookie. Daddy cooked the best ribs ever with just some water, oil, salt and pepper. Men would hang around the grill asking him how he did it. He worked hard-into the ground basically. My sister and I inherited that work ethic along with the ability to 10 key by touch like a squirrel on speed.
When I miss my father these days it is often in relation to my daughters. He would have loved them bunches and spoiled them like only a beloved grandfather can do. He will never see these beautiful darlings and I will never see them together laughing and loving.
But as fate would have it, I do have one precious gift. I get to see my father as he would have been now through my Uncle Mike. When I say there were identical I cannot stress enough how identical they were. The sound of their voice, their laugh, even their mannerisms are the same. They were the kind of twins that even had their own language that only the 2 of them spoke when they were young. My uncle does not live near me and I only see him once a year but he always makes sure to come to my house and visit. He knows that seeing him is a pleasure and a pain. We have never spoken of it but it is always there-both us of knowing but never acknowledging it.
Give your daddy a great big hug and kiss. Tell him you love him and you could not ask for a better grandpa for your kids. Do not let it go by without getting this done. Remember-blink of eye people-just like that the opportunity will be gone forever.
Happy Birthday Uncle Mike. I love you-xxxooo.
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