You'll Be Missed...

Death is hard. It just comes out of nowhere, bites you in the butt, and screams "REALITY CHECK!"

My uncle Roger died last week. He was 66. Only 66 years on this planet. The most recent statistics I could find stated that the average white US male lives to 76 in today's world. And by my math that's 10 years more than he got.

If you're thinking I feel Roger got jipped, you're wrong. I'm kind of surprised he made it to 66! Glad that he did, but surprised nonetheless.

You see, Roger was a daredevil. An envelope pusher. A spit in the eye of fear if it looked at me wrong, kind of guy. Oh, he did his fair share of drinking and smoking and those are the things that finally did him in. But, it's amazing to me that his boundary-pushing didn't get him sooner.

There are so many stories I have heard over the years about Roger and his exploits. Oh he once punched a wooden Indian for "looking at him wrong" of course he was in a compromised state at the time, but hey, that Indian did have a shifty eye!

Uncle Roger and my Dad used to build and race stock cars, the thrill-seeking boys they were. The stories I have heard remind me of the Duke boys. Out jumpin and racing and gettin' into trouble with the law, "Oooooooheee, Luke, somethin's goin' down at the ole' Hazzard County Mine, we best go have a look."

There was another time, my Dad recently told me, when he and Roger were out cruisin' around with Roger driving my dad's car when out of nowhere Roger jerks the steering wheel to the right and starts driving down the sidewalk! As if to say, Look, no mischief is happening, so let's create some!

And, of course, who could forget the time young Roger, aka Cochise, shot a flaming arrow into the side of the family home, and started the house ablaze!!!!!!

Ahhhh the memories....

But, Roger was a good guy. In fact, he was my godfather. With three daughters of his own, Roger was pretty good at knowing what a little girl would like. So, my birthday and Christmas gifts were always fitting for my age and were most often the presents I cherished the most.

But, the one thing I can remember about my uncle Roger was he was always interested in me. He always had time for me. As a little girl, he would always ask me how I was doing, and wonder if I was having an okay time with school, my brothers, boys, etc. He always listened and he always cared.

I think Roger would have liked this blog. He would have liked that I was saying what was on my mind and giving people a glimpse into our humorous lives. He would have smiled knowing I was outwardly expressing my adoring affection for my children, and etching their stories into the hearts of all of you. Thus, making sure people will remember them. I hope by telling you these uncle Roger stories you know a little more about the man he was and will never forget him like I never will.