Cheaper by the Half Dozen

I have been perplexed on how to approach this post. My absence on the blog is no mystery to my close friends and family. Last week, during all the sickness, I got a strange phone call from my mother. When I say strange, she had dialed me twice before 8:30 in the morning and left me a message telling me to call her. My first thought, my dear grandmother had gone to be with the Lord. I prepared myself as I dialed her back. I was absolutely shocked when I heard her say, "Alison, your Uncle Bobby had a heart attack this morning and died." I had to ask her to repeat the what she said. I didn't believe my ears. After hearing the news a second time I knew she was telling me the truth.

Ironically, my grandfather, my uncle's father, died 19 years ago almost to the day. It almost seemed surreal. I frantically tried to determine how I could get to Mississippi with sick children - being there for my extended family (my cousins and I were quite close growing up). Through a series of events, my in-laws offered to keep my kids and I made my way to Mississippi Sunday afternoon to help my family burry my uncle.

Death is never an easy thing to face, and seems even harder when it is so sudden. It was difficult to watch my cousins as they laid their father to rest. All of us being around the same age just hit home for me. I mourned with them and for them - knowing that it could have just as easily been me.

My uncle was a good man, a family man, a man who believed and lived out his faith in God. We as a family are thankful because we know we will see him again one day, but the suddenness of his death reminded me that life is all too short.

We burried him Valentine's day - the same day, the same church, and the same graveyard we laid my dear grandfather to rest 19 years prior. It was strange and yet sweet, bringing back raw memories my Papa.

I was amazed by the wealth of family. My Uncle Bobby had five children and my dad, his only brother, had six. All but one of my siblings were in attendance and it moved me that we all felt we MUST be there to support our family.

Death is always a reminder, but my Uncle's death hit home with me so much more. Tomorrow is not promised so I must cherish what I have today, prepare for my family in the case of my absence, and love and forgive, regardless of hurt feelings, differences, or just plain laziness.

His death had me questioning, what legacy will I leave? What will people remember me for? What would they say about my life and character? It makes me realize I have a lot more work to do on my person.

I am back home now, praying for my sweet family as they mourn their tragic loss. If they come to mind, please pray for them as well. I truly believe that mourning begins once the memorial is over. Death doesn't keep life from moving on and sometimes that is the hardest part - living life without the one/s we love.