I've been blessed in my life to have lots... and lots of extended family. My parents had many siblings each and their parents... had dozens! It's not a family tree, its a family jungle. ;)
I have 8 uncles... and not a single rotten one in the bunch! Last summer we lost my uncle Chuck to the miserable disease called Alzheimer's. Uncle Chuck taught me to ride a horse. He was hard-working and kind. Every single time I saw him he said "hello darlin" and I got a kiss and a hug that was so hard it could squeeze the breath right out of your lungs. (In a good way!) My mom always told me that her older brother treated her like a little lady and was very protective of her. Though losing him was so sad and difficult, we had years to adjust to the idea that we were losing him. With his death came a sigh of relief, that his years of suffering were over and that he had a new body as he went to live forever with his Lord in Heaven.
This morning we lost my Uncle Richard. His death was sudden, and as my Aunt Dianna said to me in the hospital this weekend "I just didn't think he would EVER die." And everyone agrees. He was the kind of person you're just sure will outlive us all. He was SO full of life... and laughter. If you know me very well, you know how much I particularly value laughter. And I could endlessly listen to his funny, dramatic stories. Every time I saw him, his grin made me think he'd been waiting JUST to see me. His hugs were firm but with a pat-pat-pat on the back instead of a rib squeeze. He could fix everything and build anything. He was a military service man, a public servant and fireman. And he could always tell you the best directions to take. How ironic it felt when I was leaving the hospital and wanted to (but couldn't) ask him the fastest way to get home. I just knew he would know better than anyone else! But he is not concerned with Earthly directions any longer. He's with His Savior!
Both of these men had a huge impact on my life. They have also left a remarkable legacy for their families of how to work hard, enjoy life, laugh often and love deeply. They were the epitome of what it means to treasure your family. But above all of that, they left an eternal legacy. While they were here, they chose to believe in God's promise of eternity with Him. They chose to accept His forgiveness through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. They chose to walk with Him on the Earth, so that upon their death, their families would have the peace God offers to those who are faithful.
Knowing these things doesn't make me less sad. Knowing this doesn't make me miss my Uncle Richard any less today. My heart aches. My eyes weep. And looking at his picture makes me long for just one more hug. But in these same moments, I truly feel immense joy to think that today he's seen Glory!
The question for most of us who are still here is "Why?" or, at least, "Why now?"
With humility seeping out of my skin and hopefully pouring over these words I'll say this... I've learned lately that I don't need to ask why. I can really just trust God. His plan is perfect and has NEVER failed. But I've also learned that God knows that I will sometimes ask "why" anyway, and he will lovingly answer me when I petition Him. And His loving answer to me is this: Many will hear my Uncle Richard's story of the salvation that he received on Earth and there will be someone who needed to hear that truth in just that way... and that person will choose life though Jesus Christ because of hearing his story.
That's why enough for now.
I love you my sweet uncle Richard. And I'll see you again!
Leah Curley with her great Uncle Richard and great Aunt Dianna. We love them both so much!
That's alot of years. My favorites have been the last 30 for sure. But I know they have enjoyed all of them. They celebrated for 2 weeks starting with a water taxi ride in Venice... 
and then on a cruise to this place... 
...and this one... 
...and this one... 
...and they drank Chianti IN CHIANTI!! .... aaahhhh.... one day... that will be us! (Is it weird to post vacation pictures of a vacation I didn't even go on?)
