I wish I was writing to you under better circumstances today, but the intention here is to preserve all kinds of memories for you. Your Great Uncle Tim (Grandpa's brother) passed away this morning. It makes me sad to tell you that, and it stinks that you never got to meet him, but I'm happy to get to tell you all about him. As much as I wish I was funny, being sad is what often inspires me to write. It helps to get feelings out in words on "paper". I want you to know your family and where you come from, even if for some of them it is only through my words and stories.
Uncle Tim is a character. It feels weird to use past tense, so I won't when I don't feel like it. I don't believe that people cease to exist just because their bodies give out. I think you still get to be who you are, especially when you have a personality as strong and distinctive as Uncle Tim's. He is many things, and I'd like to share a few.
Uncle Tim is...
... great at receiving gifts. He truly knows how to show appreciation. No matter what the sweater looks like that comes out of that box from Grandma, he is wearing it the next time you see him. End of story.
... even better at giving gifts. He'd get all of the girl grandchildren (his nieces) the same thing each Christmas Eve. As we pulled out our matching boxes/envelopes/bags, we'd all make eye contact and giggle, amused and excited for what wacky or wonderful thing we'd find beneath the wrapping paper this time. There were coins from our birth years. There were pretty cross necklaces. There were all sorts of things you would never expect but would always smile at when you saw them. There were, and this one's my favorite, blue glass hands. Huh?
Blue glass hands. I still use mine to this day to hold my wedding ring when I cook or do the dishes. Totally silly and wacky and cool at the same time, right?
...a joke teller. I have vivid memories of sitting across from him at Thanksgiving and waiting for the, "Hey, have you heard this one...?" They usually made me groan and were sometimes a bit offensive, but, to borrow a line from Grandpa Terry, "Roll your eyes now. You'll be telling it later."
...an eater. Speaking of Thanksgiving, you haven't seen someone conquer a mound of mashed potatoes until you've been across the table from Uncle Tim. He also always profusely compliments the chef.
...a musician. Oh, the stories he had about when he played this joint or that. Which leads me to...
... Elvis. When I was little, I swore he was Elvis. I'm not sure if it was the all black outfits (even in the middle of summer) or the thick, dark hair that was always combed with each one in its rightful place. Other men would pay a whole lot of money for a head of hair like that!
...an author and collector. I used a copy of his lure and hook fishing book to schmooze a customer when I was in sales. His house is a legit museum. True story.
...a businessman and (speaking of sales) an eternal salesman. This one may be my favorite. Uncle Tim's Small Appliance and Vacuum Shop was the source of many smiles throughout the years. Every time we saw him, we'd hear about the latest friend of ours who had left his shop with a vacuum. One of his many claims to fame came when Jeff Daniels used his store to film a movie. Although "Super Sucker" super... well, you know, it was pretty cool just the same. The best part of it all was the lady in the front, though.
There's a fancy lady who sits in the front window. She's actually just a mannequin, but you'd never know it. Uncle Tim dresses her for the seasons and holidays, and she is really quite stylish. I spent a summer working in a doctor's office just across the street, and I would take great delight each time Fancy Franny (that's what she was named in my head, at least) changed her clothes. Sometimes when I was out and about I'd detour by the store just to see what she was up to that month. Simply delightful.
...a family man. Maybe this one is my favorite. Nothing makes Tim light up like his grandkids do. Always the storyteller, we'd hear from Tim about the latest thing Lucy was doing or how Noah insisted on only wearing suits when he left the house. I hope with all my heart they will know how much they meant to him. He always showed up for the rest of us, too. He was a wonderful father, brother, uncle, fishing buddy (I've been told), and more. He'd make it to weddings, graduation parties, bonfires (oh yes!), and he always always always could be counted on to bring the shrimp cocktail for Christmas Eve. I'm sure we'll think of him with a smile every time we sit around that table at Grandma's house.
We'll take your first trip back to Michigan to honor Uncle Tim in a few days and to introduce you to all kinds of other characters. Wacky runs in the family. God Bless You, Uncle Tim.
Bless you too, Bubs. Love you,
Mom
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