How do you sum up a life? Is it an addition of sunrises and sunsets that make up days, weeks, months, years? Is it where you worked, how much money you made, and what you bought or sold?  Or is it based in the relationships, the people held dear, and those who remember you long after you're gone?

I met Uncle Bill when I was a child, and my cousins Jim & Dan were young boys.  I remember then that Bill was a gentle sort - the kind who was soft spoken but direct, ready for a laugh, and who my Grandfather, Stan, had the utmost respect for.  Funny that - because Stan was always hard on all of us when it came to earning trust, but with Bill, they were just kind of buddies. It was an interesting dynamic from someone (Stan) whom we had always been a bit in awe of, and something that sticks in my mind. 

I saw Uncle Bill off and on for summers as I babysat for my cousins and visited family. He was patient, and an ever present caring role model for his "boys", JIm and Dan. And he was so proud of them.  I can remember him playing in the backyard, telling stories about life experiences and always commenting how much he'd like to have travelled more.  He taught them so many things that we take for granted - life lessons in how to be a man, take responsibility, and yet still be true to yourself.

At the heart of it - I grew up, and we lost touch.  Then, one day, when I was back home visiting my grandmother - I got this phone call from Bill Connelly and he invited me and Jim / Dan to lunch.  I was nervous, but shouldn't have been.  It was like no time had passed - even though I'd grown up - and to see someone I'd not heard from in years was just a joy.  We traded addresses - and from that point on - I never went a birthday or holiday without getting a card, letter, or a pick me up note.  11 years I've been abroad, and he was always curious over where I was travelling, what I was seeing, and wanting to hear and know everything from my travels and pictures and life abroad.  

Last night, I went through a box of letters / cards / postcards - the ones I saved - and was reminded dearly of what a kind heart Uncle Bill had.  In the box were notes to remind me that family was still there.  Notes to remind me that it was Thanksgiving in his part of the world.  Notes to celebrate the first snow, messages to tell me that he'd seen my pictures of Morocco - and laughed at some of the humorous stories I had shared.  There's the postcard with the black London cab, a card with Italy on it, a birthday card filled with flowers, the unexpected Christmas gift shipped from Amazon (a lace scarf to go with a dress he'd seen I wore to the Christmas party), and so many more.  All letters of encouragement, and love, and a reminder that despite the "disconnect" he was so proud of me getting to go out and expand my horizons.  Letters upon letters - typed on a type writer, stamped with funny little stamps, and filled with bits and pieces of his mind, on paper. 

That's Uncle Bill.   The man, the letter writer - the one who kept and maintained relationsips that were years and years old - with a simple note - a smile, a laugh, and a postage stamp.  And that is what I will remember most, and of course, what I will miss most of all. 

God Speed, Bill.  May you rest in peace (oh and share your address would you? I have a postcard to send!) and know you are thought of by all of us with fondness and love.

~Carija