Goodbye, Uncle Joe

My Uncle Joe passed away this morning. Last weekend, I had the chance to say goodbye. I'd like to make a special note of gratitude to the nurses who cared for him for so many years, and specifically the one who worked hard to wake him up on Sunday afternoon so that we could say goodbye. London and Maddie have always brightened his day, so the girls sang for Uncle Joe one last time... he woke up just long enough to smile through Grand Old Flag and Party in the U.S.A.

My sister has made arrangements for a true veteran's burial at Arlington National Cemetery...full military honors, complete with a bugler and Gun Salute he deserves.

Even though we knew it was coming, I'm still filled with sadness...that more than 65 of his 90 years had to be so hard; guilt... that I couldn't (or didn't) do more for him; and a sense of relief and comfort that comes from my faith that he'll soon be reunited with his beloved brother (my dad) in some form of a better, eternal life.

Goodbye Uncle Joe, we love you.