If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you may remember my Uncle Ted, from this post where I rant about how you should never have to pay for hospital parking.
March 2011
He passed away last Saturday after nearly 2 years in intensive care. We all knew it was coming, but there’s no such thing as being prepared. Every loved one’s death leaves a hole in the psyche, and I’m still trying to get used to the idea of a world without him in it.
Uncle Ted is at least partially responsible for the fact that I’m a writer. When I was a kid, he gave me a box of second-hand fantasy novels – Robert Asprin and Alan Dean Foster and Piers Anthony. I’m pretty sure they were the first batch of “adult” books I ever read (before that I mostly remember L. M. Montgomery and Laura Ingalls Wilder). They were also the first books that showed me you never had to outgrow fairy tales. That fantasy was a thing for adults, too. Uncle Ted gave me worlds – he showed me that imagination was the only limit, and that there was something I could do with mine.
He was also the only adult in my life that treated me like a grown up – he didn’t care if I got up on time or did well in school or remembered to brush my teeth. He wasn’t responsible for me and he seemed convinced I’d turn out well no matter what he said, so he never told me what to do. He talked to me like a person, which made talking to him a whole lot easier.
Ted loved diet Dr. Pepper and corn dogs and riding his golf cart through the wilderness trails of south Texas. He loved computers and the access they gave him to all the information in the world. He loved throwing an outrageous comment into a conversation – whether or not he believed it – just to see how people would react. He hated having his picture taken.
It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. I’m going to read a book and raise a Dr. Pepper, and be thankful that this man was in my life.
We’ll miss you, Uncle Ted.
Can’t be a Texan and not drink Dr. Pepper. Sorry for your loss and happy that you have all the worlds to explore because of him.
Thank you, Jolene. Hugs.
Uncle Ted understood me. Justin had Tom and Tim. But Ted new that I was different from them and gave me special attention. When I was into model trains, he built and painted an engine for me. That meant so much to me. Made me feel like I had a place in the family. So I will enjoy my diet dr. Pepper while going through my old train set.
I didn’t know that, Randy – thank you for sharing. What a great memory.
I’m so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you very much, Diana. We’re glad he’s at peace, and that helps.
I am sorry that you have lost such a wonderful person from your life. I hope the fond memories you have will help fill the void.
Thank you, Shirley.