The Ego Episodes

Wednesday, Apr. 07, 2004

Last Week I Was Told ...

A recorded message told me that the “subscriber cannot be reached”. It made me wonder, where’s my mother? It’s Sunday and she’s usually at home. I tried my Dad’s phone. Same recorded message. Where IS everybody?

Later in the evening I called again and thankfully this time, I was able to get through to my mother. They (meaning mother and father) were just reaching home. They were at my grandparents’ house and I don’t know what was going on with me but I didn’t sense anything’s amiss until I talked to my father. I told him, “Dad, I want to go home (this summer)” He said, “Sure, go home. Your sister’s coming home next week for your uncle’s – oh, did you know … “

“What?”

“Your uncle passed away last night.”

My father, he was too heartbroken to continue talking to me. I was too shocked to cry. My mother then told me she was going to call me up to let me know but she wanted to wait because I was far away and she didn’t want me to get affected too much …

The news didn’t really hit me until I got off the phone. It was too sudden. I didn't think it was possible. Too sudden. There were too many thoughts, images, memories … they just kept on coming. I couldn’t do anything. I wanted to be there. But I couldn’t do anything.

I cried not for me. I cried for my father. I guess my father was not only an older brother to my uncle but also a friend. I cried for my uncle’s family. My cousins, they’re still so young ...

I cried for my uncle. He adored me and my sisters. My uncle’s house was in another town far away that we only got to see each other during Christmas, birthday parties and fiestas. We loved going to his house. We’d be late usually (again, distance) and with so many people in the house it would take us several minutes (and directions from helpful relatives) before we could locate him. My uncle would then give me and my sisters a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

I couldn’t write every single memory I have of him but I’m thankful that at least I have those little things to remember him by. He will always be my favorite uncle.

{ joycie at 10:01 a.m.}