Celebrating Uncle Will

When I was young, I thought Uncle Will was so exotic, like a South American with his dark hair and skin, his slow smile and deep,laugh.  And so tall!  I was so excited to be "picked" to help serve at their wedding.  He was so handsome and Lynda was such a beautiful bride that I believe it was at that point I started dreaming of my own one day wedding.  And, I was also drawn to tall, thin men.

Time went on and Lynda and Will had three kids.  They lived an extremely exciting life in the Cities...at least it seemed like that to me, and I loved to go and visit.  Those days are a little bit hazy but I remember the apartment with outdoor access through a window, I think....but lots of stairs to climb to get there.

There was a period of time during my first marriage when I was out of touch with family but the great thing about family is that one can magically appear after several years and everyone treats you the same, no explanations needed, hugged back into the fold.  Well, that's exactly the way Lynda and Will were with everyone who came into their lives.  Like an oasis in a desert, they extended a helping hand. In every situation.

I always admired Will for his ability to adapt and his sportsmanship.  He went along with some things he may not have particularly picked or thoroughly enjoyed...because people he loved enjoyed them.  He put others first.  Even recently on a visit from Gayle and I he agreed to play some cards, but just a couple hands. Still, he did it.

When Will had become ill the first time, Jim and I were newly retired for the first time, too, and were in a position to help out.  We came and stayed about three months while Will underwent treatments and eventually successful surgery.  The plan was for Jim to help out with the business during this time and I thought I could be some help or company too, since Lynda was still working part-time.

Well, my sweet computer nerd engineer got to participate in puremidwest manual labor during a colder winter than Jim had ever experienced.  The first day of work, before they even went outside, Will tried to define  COLD for Jim.  He told Jim, "When you get in the truck and the seats don't give, you know it's cold."

Uncle Will showed Jim the ropes and Jim was amazed at his strength.  He said Will could fling big tractor tires like frisbies.  After a bit, Lynda was Jim's partner on the route.  When they came to the first tractor tire, Jim thought, oh no....this is gonna be tough.  Lynda said no problem as she proceeded to stack regular tires.  First a stack of three (about truck level), then two, then one and she just rolled that tractor tire up those tire steps.  Jim was impressed.

Will and Jim enjoyed watching some TV together in the evenings.  We were already hooked on NCIS, like Will, but while we were there we got hooked on 24 and also enjoyed Boston Legal.  In the truck and at home there we'd listen to Rush and sometimes Hannity.  When we travel now we will still look for them on the radio.

Many of you may have heard stories about Belle, but in case you haven't, Belle is our Jack-Rat who came along in the McCullough package deal.  We found out that she is a cancer-sniffing dog....at least that is our claim.  She jumped up in Will's lap, sniffed his chest and layed down and stayed right there - day after day.  However, after Will's surgery, Belle jumped up in his lap, took one sniff, and jumped back down.  She didn't get up in his lap again.

Jim and I consider Lynda and Will as immediate family and their big hearts put together have been a huge powerhouse.  We received the blessing of living life with them and we love them so much.  I can't wait to join you in heaven one day, Uncle Will...farewell until then.