Uncle Jay~my Papa bear~Aunt Okja June 1995
First I have to tell you I am very sorry for not blogging much last week. Wed morning I got a call from Jeff my older brother with the news that my uncle Jay passed away.
I can't tell you how shocked I was. I talk to him not to long ago. He was having some heart problems but was doing better. But after the second heart attack they put in a pace maker and did some other work on his heart. But what lead to his passing wasn't another heart attack... but problems from the surgery. Long story short... smaller issues like infections in his lung and kidneys.
Jay... was an amazing son, brother, father, friend and my uncle.
A man of many things...
Growing up I remember him having a lawn and gardening business and perching on Sunday in church. How I loved to listen to him in church. He didn't perch every Sunday but when he did I would go to hear him. I went to a local church by my house in Anaheim. Uncle Jay lived in Huntington Beach. But we would go and listen. Just thinking back makes me happy and smile.
We shared the same birthday month June. I was born on the 5th and Jay the 7th. So you know we always celabrated it together which I never mind.
In 1975 I turned 15 and went on summer vacation with his family to Oregon and Washington.
Most of my moms' family lived up there. I have to tell you thats when I fell in love with Washington. Gods country is what I called it back then. I was gone most of the summer and had a ball. Was a little home sick at first but then I remember Jay making me laugh telling me stories of all the beauitful places I would see and people I would meet. And looking back now he was so right. I learned to love coffee that year too. The drinking water on my grandpa's farm was... gross. I can't put it any other way then that.
I have so many memories of him. From family reunions, play cards, bbq-ing, swimming...
BUT Jay could wiggle his ears. Not just one ear but both. We would be sitting at the table in a friendly card game of gin rummy and he would start to wiggle his ear...
Then you start to laugh and BAM he had you. Ding Dang it... he won.
So to say the least last week was a little different for us. Jeff got the call and felt like he was hit with a 2x4. So anything my cousin Mark told him he couldn't remember. So Wed morning after I took Jake to school I called Clay and Sue (brother & sister) and gave them our news. I was on the phone most of the day calling my cousin (Tammy & Tayna (jays girls).
Jeff was a mess.. I was too. Jay was his twin in our family. That's what we call it when you are so like with that person. My mom is my twin so I understand. Cause after she passed I was a mess for a long time. There are still days I cry missing her. Wishing I could see and talk with her.
To have her hug me and kiss my for head like she always did. OR even hear her say my name as when she was mad at me... LEAH MARIE (with a long pause in between here) get over here!!!
So getting back to my week... I had to pull things together with the family, my house, and pack to leave. Unsure if I was still going to a convection I was attending or off to see my family. I ended staying here in Washington and going to the convention. Tayna told me to stay here come down later. But most of the time I was on the phone talking to them in between classes and shopping the vendor booths. By Friday I was gone. I just wanted find a corner and sit and cry. I hadn't even done that yet. For those who know me well.. I am a hugger and a very sappy (sad-happy) person. I love deeply to all I care for. A blessing I embrace fully.
After the convention I was going to stay at Kim's for a weekend of girl time and scraping. I still kept those plans too. I figured it would be good to hang with friends and laugh. By Sunday I was scraping by myself the other girls were up stairs talking after breaskfast... It hit me. I started to cry. Up I went to the bathroom. I didn't want anyone to see me. I didn't want to pull anyone down. So once I pulled it together the girls (and Jake) were back. Jake was playing with Carols lable maker. Then bam a stricker to the forehead... I knew what it said... DORK and to tell you the truth it made my day. Crazy but how is it that a single 4 letter word put the biggest smile on my face and warmed my heart like you couldn't beleive. Jake had or has no idea what he did for me that day. I am a dork at times... I secretly miss him calling me that and miss the out of the blue texts that say... "hows my favorite dork today?"
Why do I share this personal thing??
Cause it's always the little things that bring joy to my life.
My Uncle Jay did the same thing... brought so much joy to each life he touched.
I'll miss him but he lives in my heart and always will. That relateionship will always be there.
So today I don't wish anyone to feel sad for me. But happy for that this wonderful man who touched my life and showed me how to embrace life to love deep and most of all smile.
peace out <3
leelee
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