I was awakened by a text message this morning from my Uncle Don, letting me know that his namesake passed away around 10am this morning. He sent it in a text message because my grandparents tried calling to let me know, but I didn’t answer. I was asleep.

The news has been fairly expected because I knew his cancer was terminal, however, it was still quite jarring. I knew it was going to happen, but I didn’t really believe it was going to; I guess I expected a miracle or something. The disbelief and denial were momentary and then the tears started flowing along with fond memories of one of my favorite great uncles.

He was a funny, loving, outdoorsy family man who was proud to be called a redneck. Some of my fondest childhood memories include him and his farm. He was the world’s greatest catfish cook and a great family man. I have been told he had a dark side, but I never see it.  He always made me laugh, even when I was terrified of his killer goose.

He was my granny’s baby brother and his passing is very sad for her. I called her shortly after I heard the news. At first, she was trying to be strong but then she broke down and it made me break down too. I’ve only heard or seen my grandma cry a handful of times. She is the strongest woman I know.  I pray his death doesn’t affect her health as well. I wish I could absorb the pain for her.

“Goodbye for Now” by Kathy Troccoli


 

I combined “God’s Garden” and “God Saw You Getting Tired” for Uncle Butch. I’m not Christian, but he was and I appreciate the sentiment of these poems.

God looked around his garden
And He found an empty place.
And then He looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
God saw you getting tired
when a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come unto me”.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain,
He knew that you would never
Get well on Earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered “Peace be thine.”
You didn’t deserve what you went through,
So when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain.
I could not wish you to come back,
to suffer that all again.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

 

by Anonymous

Ralph Waldo Emerson said,

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier because
you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

You succeeded in life, Uncle Butch. You were a great Great Uncle. I’m happy and relieved that your pain and suffering are over, but I miss you terribly.

In Memoriam:

Donald Dewayne “Butch” Taylor

July 10, 1945 – August 20, 2011

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