Friday, March 18, 2011

I'm at a loss...

Forgive me I am in a mood. A serious no good very bad mood. My amazing, wonderful, intelligent, funny, lovely uncle passed away this week and I'm sad. I wish I could have told him I loved him one last time, and I wish I were there to grieve with my family. It sucks that I'm so far away and it reminds me so much of the limits of living in a foreign country. Even if I had jumped on the first available flight, I still wouldn't have made it. The words 'this sucks' don't even quantify how I feel.

My Uncle Don was amazing. He wrote the book on compassion and loyalty and he should have been given a medal for how non-judgemental he was. The man was a perfect gentleman. If I had a son that was even half the man he was, I would be proud. My Uncle Don taught me one of the most important lessons in my life- how to laugh, and how to be teased. I was pretty much the baby of the family and I got teased for my chicken legs etc. all the time and I used to get MAD. But, I liked to joke with Uncle Don. However, he made it clear that if I couldn't take a joke- I couldn't dish one out. He made me laugh, and danced with me to Chantilly Lace and protected me when I sincerely needed it. I can't imagine life without him, and I treasure every memory of him. He was the best.

Uncle Don, I will miss you. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh. I love you.

2 comments:

  1. I found your blog through UK-Yankee. I'm also an American living in the UK and my aunt passed away this past summer. It was hard enough but even worse because I couldn't be with my family. It's definitely been one of the most challenging experiences I've had living abroad.

    I just wanted to say that I empathize and I'm very sorry for your loss.

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  2. Sarah...I have missed new blogs - so much has been happening and you and this is how us common folk keep up.
    It was fabulous seeing you in Atlanta.
    xoxox
    Parker

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