posted on August 19, 2001 12:29:54 PM new
First, let me preface this story (and cover my butt) by saying this is all alleged:
Here is the story I promised you all:
You know how everyone has relatives that they pretend don't exist? Well, here is the story of mine.
I was raised by a stay at home Mom and a Dad who worked his butt off for every penny he could get. We were poor cash wise BUT very rich in life and love. We never noticed we were poor - until many years later We lived in the country and had a great time.
My Mom's two brothers were well, let's say different. Bathing was optional, haircuts non existent, welfare was a way of life. The children were taken off of them for various incidents that would get me kicked off of AW if I told of them ....
Brother JR (pronounced juner) died about a year ago. Mom walked out of the "circus" of a funeral ....
A week ago my favorite uncle Duck was in his home, terminally ill with bone cancer that he chose not to have treated. (Duck made his own mold in this world - I think that is why so many loved him )
Anyay, JR's daughter and her husband last week picked up Duck and told him they were taking him for coffee. He did not want to go but they forced him to anyway.
They did not return him. In the meantime, another relative had told us he was really ill so my mom took my oldest brother who was in from out of town to see him. When Mom got there they told her they were frantically trying to find him. His own two daughters had also come in from out of town to say good bye.
When they finally reached the man who had taken him for coffee, he told them that Duck had gone to his sister's house out of town. This sister is a waste of breath, but that is another tale ....
Finally the police discovered that he was taken to hospice. This was three days later. My Mom went over and took Duck's live in girlfriend of 42 years and his two daughters over to see him. They had but maybe two hours with him before he died.
When they drove away "for coffee" this man was able to walk, to talk, make himself something to eat. He knew the end was coming, but he was happy at home with the woman he loved.
When they found him he was basically not there. The hospice workers said they did not get anything out of him - until his girlfriend walked in.
And now let me add page two ... this cousin and her husband are holding a piece of paper that says this man gets everything my dead Uncle owned. Now, that would not be much except it is 10 minutes away from the new shopping mecca that was just put in - and quite valuable.
The week before they took him, these people moved him from his home - and into a new apartment. They got him different furniture - they said the old stuff was no good. They never returned any of his personal stuff - or any of his girlfriend's either.
But wait - it gets better ...
At the funeral a man walked up to us and introduced himself as my uncle's son. You know how when you hear something so wild if your mouth was full they would get a bath? My mom did just that!
He was really mad that I, too, was laughing. My response was that I was sorry, but you can only stack sh*t so high before the pile falls over ...
posted on August 19, 2001 12:39:35 PM new
My take of the funeral was that it was just like Duck. Those of us who really loved him were having a good time, laughing at the antics of the idiots.
Yep, Duck - you always loved making a commotion - right up to the very end.
I will miss you, bud. Thanks for everything you ever did for me.
Edited to add:
How cool is an uncle that can give you a part of an car engine that makes a beautiful bracelet? I never could look at a bracelet without thinking of him - and his bracelet
[ edited by MrsSantaClaus on Aug 19, 2001 12:48 PM ]
posted on August 19, 2001 03:30:28 PM new
MrsSanta, I am going to miss him too. I knew him. I am sure of it. He had a whole pack of blue tick hounds didn't he?
T
posted on August 19, 2001 11:06:58 PM new
Actually, I don't think he had any dogs. I will ask my mother, however - she should know for sure.
The funny thing is at the time this supposed son was born my mom and duck were both living at home with their mother. Mom says she would be shocked if it were indeed true.
"The tribe" as we call them, were demanding that his daughter take a DNA test to prove she is his daughter (never mind that she looks just like the rest of the family). They found it appalling, however, that someone suggested that the son also take a DNA test. He said he doesn't need to take one to prove who he is.
We lived in the country and had a great time.
- I think that is why so many loved him )
