Hello all,

I know I do this a lot, but I'm sorry it's been so long. I've been REAL busy. My mom and dad moved into a new home, my aunt moved to a new home, I moved to a new apartment, my dad has been in the hospital again this time since late March, I had to finish up at one job, find another, try to finish spring quarter at school. In addition to all of this, I suffered a death in my family.
My uncle passed away on April 13 of this year. He was 56. Now he wasn't immediate family, he was my uncle, but I have had a hard time putting into words how I felt when we lost him. I always knew I loved him, but I didn't realize all he had done for me and what he meant to me until he was gone. He was one who challenged, he pushed, he prodded, he always gave you his honest opinion--these actions would cause a lesser person to be overbearing, spiteful and controlling. However, he managed, sometimes I'm not sure how, to execute it in such a way where all you thought was how you never wanted to disappoint him. I think the key was that every time he pushed, challenged, or prodded you, he was always waiting for you at the next step to support and guide. That was an amazing gift.
He was a true gentleman, he always made you feel natural, acceptable and interesting in his presence. You always felt that he not only listened, but HEARD you when you talked with him. He seemed just as comfortable at formal dinners as he was watching Nascar in his living room. He taught me a lot about not being afraid to speak my mind. He encouraged me to believe that to learn more, you must share what you know.
He was a survivor, he survived being the only boy in a house w/ 5 children; he survived cancer, he survived a blood disorder known as myelodysplasia (thanks to Gini), he survived all of life's twists and turns with a can-do attitude and a winning smile. He seemed unbeatable. Because of this, when my uncle passed, it surprised me. My uncle contracted pneumonia, his body couldn't fight it off and it took him. It seemed implausible, after all he had been through. What I have to see now though is that he is still a survivor; his words have survived in my spirit, his personality, spirit and passions are surviving in his children and grandchildren.
So while we have said our goodbyes, it feels wonderful to know that he will always be here. He helped me become the woman I'm trying to be...I just I can make him proud of that fact.

Uncle Wiley, love with gratitude, forever

~Rebekah~