End of the Line

My dad and his brother were always the life of the (family) party. Constantly trading quips and witticisms. You had to be sharp and quick to keep up with them. If one of them wasn't at a family gathering, it just wasn't the same.

My Uncle Bob died yesterday. 88 years young. He's probably taking bragging rights with my dad on how he outlived him by 10 years. Bob died 11 years and 3 days after my dad.

It was expected, to a certain extent. As it was with my dad.

But what really hit me, is how that generation is now gone. Uncle Bob was the last surviving member of his immediate family - his parents, his 2 sisters and 1 brother. And he joins his wife and youngest daughter. They are all together again - laughing, making jokes, re-telling family stories. And, I hope, looking over those they left behind.

Both of them would always joke that the only reason the whole family would get together would be for a wedding or a funeral. With this being the 2nd Wick family funeral this year, even they might have a hard time thinking it funny. But, they'd say, at least we all managed to get together more than once this year.

Thank you, Uncle Bob, for making us smile.