What can you say

I tried to write a blog this morning, but ended up deleting it. I have been out of town for a few days so have not written in a while. My husband’s uncle passed away so we went back to his hometown for the service. Funerals always bring to mind several topics for discussion, but right now they somehow don’t seem appropriate. I feel the need to put my own selfish thoughts on hold and just reflect on Ernie, and on family in general.

I did not know him very well, but I did know him well enough to know that he was a very intelligent man. One of those people who surprises you – on the surface he seemed to be just another country bumpkin, but he could hold his own (or take over!) any topic you wanted to discuss. He was one of those people who is a fountain of facts and general knowledge. We used to groan when we thought about going over to their house because we knew that he would sit there and talk and talk and talk and never let you get away. But then when we finally did leave, we realized that the stories he told and things he talked about were actually really interesting, and we couldn’t believe we had spent a couple of hours listening.

I have heard that he was a very tough father, and that he was verbally abusive at times. But whatever faults he had were made up for in his loyalty and dedication to family. He truly loved his family, and worked hard to support them. He remained married to the same wonderful woman for 40 something years. When his daughter took the wrong path in life, he opened his home to his grandchildren and began supporting them. I know that they are going to miss him terribly, but I also know that they are taking heart in the fact that he is no longer suffering. He had a stroke several years ago, then developed diabetes. He recently had a heart attack, and when they checked him out discovered that he had actually had quite a few heart attacks over the past couple of years, but did not realize it due to the effects of the stroke. At this point, his body was too weak to operate so they decided to let him go. We are all relieved that he doesn’t have to suffer anymore, but for those close to him I am sure the relief does not lessen the grief.

Anyway, like I said, my trip has left me with several topics that I want to write about, but for today I think I will just be quiet and let Ernie do all the talking.