My Dad was the only boy (other than his dad) in a household full of hormones when my Aunt Anne and Uncle Bill's only child, William Jr. was born. They lived in town and I suspect that contributed to their life-long special relationship, more like brothers, than uncle and nephew. I remember a picture of them coming home from a successful hunting trip, arm in arm, smiling from ear to ear, with their spoils! My dad didn't hunt, IMO, but I guess he did with Billy!
.jpeg)
My very first memory is attending his graduation at Valley Central High School, it was that big of a deal. The Aunts, Grandma, his parents, were all there with us in the front row (or at least it seemed to kindergarten me) as he went up to the podium to give his speech as his class as the Valedictorian, I may have just learned to write my whole name neatly, but I knew it was a really big deal and I tried to listen, and knew I wanted to be like him. I also remember how we stood and clapped proudly t the end, My Dad cried, as did The Aunts, and I think even Grandma.
Billy headed off the RPI to pursue an engineering degree, but complications of a burst appendix derailed his plans. He was in and out of hospitals for the rest of his days not spent on his parents' sun porch, Then, one morning, the phone call was for my Dad, a rarity in those days with tweens in the house. He sat down, listened, said nothing as tears rolled down his cheeks. He went to the garage without saying a word to anyone and punched a hole in the wall. Billy was gone.
.jpeg)
Aunt Anne and Uncle Bill somehow managed to keep being the kind, generous, loving parents and grandparents they had always been to Billy's wife's second family, my cousin Kurt and his children and to everybody they were lucky enough to meet along the path.
*Thanks again to my co-author and cousin whose stash of pictures are treasures and whose stories are memorable!
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment