Just recently I had lost my uncle Gerry to cancer. I miss him alot and sometimes I really just feel like calling his phone and letting him know how school is going. Really, that's all I want to do. He was the one perosn I knew would give me the right answer to my problems and I know he wouldnt want me to be upset. He is probably in heaven right now shaking his head like he always did at me. I can hear him laughing at me jokingly like I have done something really rediculous adn Jojo-like.But this man wasnt just the one person I looked to for advice. My father(his brother) and my Brother have lost their ROCK and partner in the farming. Not to mention the field-buddy and Jason and my second-father. Its hard to see the strongest men you know cry for the other strongest man I know.
As Gerry only lived down the road from us our whole live, we as a family had gotten used to him allways being there. I will never forget the countless boxes of cookies he baked and brought down because "I;m not supposed to eat these and I know you like them." But really we know he wanted to be in out lives. And Im really happy we loved him and we were loved back with such passion. This man was the perfect example of the verse above, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. He was a quiet worker, and loved the land with all his might. Struggling with his constant knee, joint and other pains along with the recent battle with cancer, Gerry would literally come home from the hospital and mow his lawn ( untill I insited that I could do it).
Durring the funeral service, I realized how my uncle was such an influence to outsiders and to his family. He quite literally worked to win the respect of outsiders and so that he wouldnot be dependent on anybody. And this bachelor was very independant. People I bearly knew, and the people I have known all my life were weaping for his memories in there mind were so fresh. It may have been the fact that we had only known of his cancer for three months, but I am certain it was because of my uncle's loving personality adn willingness to follow the Lord. I will forever miss him, love him and care for him.
And like the words of the last time I had seen him, may they ring true someday;
" I will see you later Uncle Gerry."
