Today I am remembering a great man, my uncle Don. He passed away rather suddenly one year ago today. He was very special to me in so many ways. He was there for me when my father left and became like a father to me. He lived far away from me, but yet I knew he was there in my heart. He would send me cards and presents just to let me know I was special, at times in my life when I needed it most. He walked me down the aisle at my wedding.

He did not have an easy life. He had many trials and hardships, but despite all that, he proved that he was a man of character. He was a good husband and father to his own son. He served his country in the military and loved to ride Harley’s. He also had a tender side and loved his little fru-fru dogs, Max and Coco. He was a little OCD and a wonderful cook. He was so many things and is greatly missed by all who knew him.

I sat at his funeral and was amazed at all the people who were so touched by my uncle. I was particularly moved by this young man sitting near the back of the church. I didn’t know who he was, but he wept bitterly through the whole service, he obviously loved my uncle greatly. I was so glad, that as I sat there listening to all these people say wonderful things about how much they loved my uncle, I had been able to tell him how much I loved him before he went on to Heaven.

In January of 2010, I woke up one morning having had a dream about my uncle where God told me to go and see him because time was short. So, I decided we would go visit him in April of that year. The week before we were to leave we found out about our son, Joshua. I just couldn’t leave this then 2lb baby in the NICU and travel hundreds of miles away, and my uncle wouldn’t have wanted me to. So we stayed, and decided we would visit him in December at Christmas. At Father’s Day that year, I bought him a card, as I always did and I remembered the dream I had in January. I wrote him a note saying how much he meant to me and how much I loved him. Then, in October, we got the call that he was very sick. My mom and I got in the car and tried to get to the hospital in time to see him before he passed, but we didn’t make it. But I was at peace because I knew I told him how much he meant to me in that card. I was so glad I had done that.

God brings people into your life for reasons. And although he was my uncle, he was also brought into my life when I needed someone the most. He filled that hole in my heart when my dad left and I am so grateful to have known him. I am so glad he is now in Heaven and no longer in pain. He carried so many burdens with him and his rest is well deserved.