Blog

Dear Uncle John,

Thank you for all of the fun things you did with me when I came down to South Carolina to visit you and Aunt Mitzie. I remember that the first time I was ever on an airplane was to come and see your family when I was about six or so. I threw up. But I was amazed at the red dirt, your awesome Boston Terrier Chomper (who slept with me every night), and your gaggle of eleven cousins to play with. Yes. Our family is Catholic. I also remember sitting on your lap and you trying to explain to me the stock market. I don't have a portfolio to date. So I guess that never sank in. Thanks for trying. 

Thank you for picking us up in Charlotte even though you lived in Greenville. I am assuming that was because we got a cheaper flight. I did not make the travel arrangements that year. Thanks for always picking up the check. I got you once though at Ron's pizza shop. You were ticked. But I had an extra travelers check from my trip to Europe and I moved fast back then.

Thank you for taking me to Chimney Rock and teaching me all about Sassafras trees and the King of the Hill hill climb. You will be happy to know the house I bought here in South Jersey has a "root beer" tree in the back yard and I identified it from this memory. I had just finished my freshman year in college then. Suffice to say I was not as much of a Rush Limbaugh fan as you were. But our battles were fun. Although I clearly brought a knife to a gun fight.

Rest in peace. MichelleIt is hard to believe that the next time I stain my shoes with Carolina dirt you will not be there to greet me in your black rimmed glasses and your short sleeved dress shirts that time forgot. Clearly you will only accept a seat on the right hand of god. When you get a minute between debates with JFK, Reagan, and maybe even your brother Potsie, (If he made it up there. I remember having to sit in between you two in a car and he kept punching me in the arm the whole way. That can't be the worst of it.), please send me a sign that the Republicans are right about global warming, gay marriage, and socialism. And please ask god to reconsider if that sign is Sarah Palin.