Blog

An Uncle’s Legacy

Almost two weeks ago on the morning of Monday, August 13th, my mom came into my room as I was recovering from sleep. My mom forgot to tell me that we were expecting my Great Aunt Sandra and Great Uncle Edward to stop by.

She lifted a picture for me to see and told me, “This is a picture of Uncle Edward,” my mom told me.

I looked at the young man in the picture and, to my surprise, I did not recognize him. My Uncle was quite a handsome man, I must admit! Maybe the reason I did not recognize him was because that was 64 years ago.

 

I chuckled and thought to myself that old man… as I often called him.

After my daily routine shower, getting dressed, and getting situated in my wheelchair, I came to greet my aunt and uncle in the living room.

“What do you think about the picture?” my uncle asked.

“Well, I did not even recognize you!” I replied.

He exclaimed, “I told you that I was handsome like Uncle Perry.”

Perry is my second cousin—his son. Perry does look a lot like his dad in this picture!

We enjoyed our hilarious conversation and as it came to a close he said, “I will see you, soon. Maybe in a week or two. ”

“Sure! Looking forward to seeing you soon!” I smiled.

He smiled back and said, “I love you and I always pray for you and Tyson,” as he waved goodbye and left for the day.

Uncle Edward always keeps me laughing. A sense of warm familiar love wraps around me when they visit. I feel accepted.

However, a few days later I received dreadful news. My mom told me that Uncle Edward had passed away.

“What!” I cried.

Stunned. Unbelievable. I just saw him. Joked with him. Laughed with him. Now… what happened?

Tears welled up in my eyes and shock was setting in. I could not process this news so the tears would not fall. I thought about every detail of our last conversation throughout the day.

Later on I asked my mom, “What did he do with that picture you showed me?”

“He gave it to you.”

“What… really?! I did not realize he gave it to me,” I said in disbelief.

“Yes, he asked me if you wanted it and I told him you would!”

Touched by the gesture of love, his profound love reverberated through my soul.

Reminiscing on my childhood years, I remember eavesdropping on a conversation he was having with my brother, Tyson. Judy, Tyson’s nurse, was interpreting the conversation between Uncle Edward and Tyson. Slyly, I watched from across the room.

Uncle Edward was telling Tyson a story about my grandfather as a young man, then randomly he started imitating a rooster.
“Cock-a-doodle-dooooo!!”

I couldn’t help but crack up when I saw his words come off of Judy’s hands. And for some reason I could hear it.

I could see on the other side of the room that his wife was growing in embarrassment. She pulled at him to try to get him to stop and she turned as red as a tomato which had me laughing even harder.

We made so many wonderful memories each time they came for a visit. Their warm presence was something I cherished.

 

While I was on my way to the funeral, the van broke down. We had to turn around and thankfully we made it home safely.

Instead of sitting around, my brother and I watched the funeral through video call. How incredibly heartbreaking it was to be unable to attend his funeral… Tears began to flow down my cheek as I watched the funeral on my computer screen.

One of the speakers charged, “Grieve. But never grieve without hope.”

I was reminded of Jesus’ love and mercy throughout my Uncle Edward’s service. The greatest message of the funeral was to fervently share the gospel, the Word of God, while here on earth.

Funerals are a sobering reminder of our ever-present need for Him.

I will always remember Uncle Edward as a faithful man of God, devoted to his wife and family, and always loving and caring for those dear to him. I will miss him greatly—the world will never be the same again. However, hope remains.

6
Tags:

12 comments

  1. Such moving and beautiful words. I know this is late in responding Paige, but my heart goes out to you and the family.

    1. Thank you for reading my blog! <3

  2. It is sad to hear of the passing of your uncle. It sounds like he was a Christian, and for that reason he must now be enjoying eternal life in Jesus Christ. It is sad that the world has lost the company of a dear saint, but for him it is no loss. “To live is Christ, to die is gain”.

    1. Thank you for your sweet comment! He was an amazing follower of Christ. The most important thing is that he knew the Lord. He is rejoicing with Him and with my other late family members. I will miss him greatly <3

  3. Paige, your tribute to your Uncle Edward brought tears to my eyes. Edward and Sandra have and will always be some of our dearest friends. He will be missed on this earth, but we know we will see him again.

    We love and pray for you Paige!

    Shirley and Emerson

    1. Thank you so much I really appreciate your kind words. Yes, we will see him one day, again! Together we will rejoice in the Lord.

  4. What a beautiful tribute, Paige! I look forward to seeing you guys soon! Hugs and much love,

    1. Thank you! Hope to see you soon! Love you!

      1. I wept reading this to mummy. Just lovely and touching! Hugs

        1. Thank you! hugs <3

  5. This filled my heart with tears and joy! Thank you paige!

    1. Love you, mom!

Leave a Reply to Tina Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.