Uncle Jack

With Elijah at 2 weeks

My beloved Uncle Jack passed away very suddenly on Sunday. We never lived near each other but somehow he managed to be present at most milestones in my life. His thoughtfulness and tenderness was especially apparent to me as I watched him fall in love with my own children. Defying geography and distance, he began to share the legacy of the friendship that I had known, with the next generation of little ones. So, it was with a lump in my throat that I told the kids why all the grownups were crying. Actually, I wasn't able to get past the lump and Andrew had to have the conversation with them. This is a first for all of us and I imagine that it will be an ongoing dialogue as we all digest the permanence of our loss. Clementine has been learning about Dr. King in school this month so she immediately elevated her Uncle Jack to the same level of historical significance. And when Elijah heard that a failing heart may be the cause, he asked if Uncle Jack died of a broken heart like Little Ann in Where the Red Fern Grows. I think that Uncle Jack would appreciate the great company his memory keeps.