R.I.P Uncle Smokey 12/27/2008

Two days after Christmas this year our family lost the one and only man who never left us. Growing up without your father can be hard at times, but when you have someone who is so special that they can feel that void for you it is unexplainable the love you have for them. To have a uncle who can not only be the best uncle in the world but who also treats you just as his own child and love and do for you without even a second thought is a great feeling. I always knew from the first day we found out he was sick that the day he went to heaven would be one of the hardest days I would ever have to face in my adult life, but I never imagined it to impact me as bad as it has, I never stop thinking of him and every song I here in some way or another always bring back memories I shared with him as a child and as an adult. He was the greatest man I ever knew, there was nothing he would not do for his family and he loved all of us unconditionally. He will never know the love we had for him or the fact that the love he had for us made us into the parents and family we are today! I just hope oneday I get the chance to thank him for all he has done for me, from the christmas gifts as a child that my mom could not afford, cooking breakfast for me on the weekends as a child, the random family trips, always making me feel at home, walking down the aisle at my wedding or even the never forgetful yell of GO ONION ( wish was a nickname he gave me as a child with no hair lol) as I accepted my diploma the night of my high school graduation, eventhough then it was alittle embarassing I will always have that memory in my heart and I am thankful for the precious time I had to spend on earth with him. He trully was a great man and he will be missed so very much and if their is one thing I can say to him now it would be thank you for everything and I love you! I also want to say thank you to my Aunt Brenda who is like a second mom to me (I am even named after her) for all she has done and all she will do for me and my precious family, to the cousins who were more like a brother and sisters thank you for sharing the greatest father ever with all your wonderful cousins, we trully are greatful for the oppurtunity to love him as you did. Our family is in a stage of grief at this time and I imagine it will be a long time coming until we are trully over the loss of our father, uncle, husband, grandfather, brother and son but I have peace in my heart that I will oneday get a chance to be with him again.