Uncle Don

It was the 21st of December when my mom called to let me know that my Uncle Don wasn't doing well.  He had been battling cancer for the last several years.  My heart sank as I imagined my Aunt Jenny preparing for the holidays; my cousin planning a visit.  He died on Christmas Eve and my mind has been traveling to South Carolina every few minutes since.  My Uncle Don brought excitement with him every time he came into town.  I remember their family van outside of my grandmother's house when I was a kid.  Our family get-togethers were filled with stories and adventures from out East.  New York, New Jersey were exotic and edgy locales for this Midwest kid.  And to top it all off, he was Italian and had a pool.  He had a big laugh and knew how to cook.  He knew how to live life.  These fond memories offer little solace, I'm sure, but I'll write them anyway.  My thoughts and heart are with my Aunt and cousins.