mourning a relative

[Anonymous]

My oldest uncle passed away on Sunday. It wasn't sudden; he'd been suffering for a while. But for some reason today I am so emotional about it. I just can't stop crying. Thankfully I was able to talk with my dad and younger brother on the phone. That was helpful.

It's weird when this hits you. It's so illogical. Until today, I could "hold it together." No one in our family wishes he could have hung on or anything -- it was his time to go. But it still hurts, you know? All the innocent memories I have with him, mostly from when I was under 10 years old, seem so prominent and meaningful now.

He truly was a wonderful person. What impacts me the most is that when I was little, like maybe 6-8 years old, I liked to tell him jokes whenever I saw him. He would laugh so hard and tell me jokes in turn. I have vivid memories of sitting across from him, eating at his wife (my aunt's) restaurant, and having these joke-centered conversations with him. I don't know a single other person I used to tell jokes to like this. Why him? He wasn't extremely outgoing, bubbly, jokey or anything. I think it was the way he listened and paid attention to me.

Decades later, when I'd come back to that area and visit my grandma, he reminded me of this. He'd even remember one particular joke I used to tell.

Sometimes really simple things make an impact on you when you are a child, I think. For some reason this uncle has a really special place in my heart, even though we didn't spend that much time together or do much else. But, he listened to my jokes, he paid attention to me, and for some reason that feels really significant to me.

Crying, and just wanting to let it out Thank you

- A 30-something niece with little girls of her own now, who like to tell silly jokes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest uncle passed away on Sunday. It wasn't sudden; he'd been suffering for a while. But for some reason today I am so emotional about it. I just can't stop crying. Thankfully I was able to talk with my dad and younger brother on the phone. That was helpful.

It's weird when this hits you. It's so illogical. Until today, I could "hold it together." No one in our family wishes he could have hung on or anything -- it was his time to go. But it still hurts, you know? All the innocent memories I have with him, mostly from when I was under 10 years old, seem so prominent and meaningful now.

He truly was a wonderful person. What impacts me the most is that when I was little, like maybe 6-8 years old, I liked to tell him jokes whenever I saw him. He would laugh so hard and tell me jokes in turn. I have vivid memories of sitting across from him, eating at his wife (my aunt's) restaurant, and having these joke-centered conversations with him. I don't know a single other person I used to tell jokes to like this. Why him? He wasn't extremely outgoing, bubbly, jokey or anything. I think it was the way he listened and paid attention to me.

Decades later, when I'd come back to that area and visit my grandma, he reminded me of this. He'd even remember one particular joke I used to tell.

Sometimes really simple things make an impact on you when you are a child, I think. For some reason this uncle has a really special place in my heart, even though we didn't spend that much time together or do much else. But, he listened to my jokes, he paid attention to me, and for some reason that feels really significant to me.

Crying, and just wanting to let it out Thank you

- A 30-something niece with little girls of her own now, who like to tell silly jokes

Very sorry to hear and a huge hug OP- prayers are what helps me when I mourn my dad.. who passed away 6 months ago but its hurts me to no end. Hang in there and keep yourself busy.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your stories. Your love for your uncle and your mourning for your uncle resonated with me based on my family structure and I will be another person who thinks fondly of those joke laden meals. Sincerely, I will remember this. His memory will touch other people.

[Anonymous]

DH and I are very close with several aunts and uncles. I can see us taking this very hard as well.

[Anonymous]

Hey, OP. You know a potato's favorite day of the week? FRY-day! I hope you and your girls continue to tell silly jokes for many more decades, and carry on your uncle's kind memory.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry to hear about your uncle Op. Sending hugs and prayers for you and your kids. Uncles are the best.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry for your loss OP he sounds like a wonderful uncle.