For Uncle Joseph
Created by papyrbirch 11 years ago
I saw Uncle Joseph as a pillar of strength, calm, & love. His warm, open, and joyful presence always greeted me at the door with a hug during visits to my Aunt & Uncle’s home – a place that I first came to know as an exotic destination, then became somewhat of a magical sanctuary for me as I moved from Wisconsin to the Bay Area. When I first moved to California, I stayed with Rhea and Joseph for two months to get my bearings. Fond memories with Uncle Joseph include a peaceful day spent kayaking at Elkhorn Slough, and the time we binged on Thai Iced Teas while my Aunt was away for the day. He asked me how to make them, then mixed and drank glass after glass in rapid succession! I had giggled uncontrollably, reveling in the wildness of consuming so much more sugar than what was typically deemed reasonable in Rhea’s health-conscious household. (That bag of tea leaves has since been exiled from the pantry for the crime of harboring some sort of carcinogenic compound.)
My Aunt and I especially loved to experiment in the kitchen, and Uncle Joseph was always more than willing to be on the receiving end of these meals. Uncle Joseph wasn’t quite a “Foodie,” but he was definitely, an “Eatie.” His presence will be especially missed at the dinner table.
My Aunt and Uncle’s marriage formed a support system for me, as well as an inspiration. I saw their union as an example of what I perceived as “a rational” and “a mystic” in a happy and lasting marriage (yes, there is hope for me!).
I will miss my Uncle dearly. His sudden death has left us all floundering and gasping for breath. After the death of my Father 13 years ago, I have seen that his loved ones inevitably found some of the qualities that we depended on him for, in ourselves. He used to be the glue and the lubricating factor in my family, but now we have found a new way to bond and be strong. My hope is that we are destined to continue our lives by cultivating those qualities that we admired so much in Uncle Joseph, in ourselves. In that way, his grace will not leave this Earth, but rather, will thrive.
Namaste,
Busara Rea Melrose