He was the first man I ever loved.
He had nicknames for us all. I could have gone through life just as Roberta or Bobbie, but no....I was given the name "Babalu". Upon walking into a room and hearing him call out my name, I would immediately feel so very loved and special. He had that special knack of making you feel important - he always wanted to know what was going on with you and always had at least one story to tell.
The last time we spoke was a couple of weeks ago, I had stopped by to cheer him up. He told me the story of how he got his nickname Hank (and to this day, his grade school chums still call each other by their nicknames). He then went on to ask me about school. I told him how excited I was to graduate this June. From the side of his bed he looked at me and said, "You know who would be so proud of you for doing this Babalu? Your Dad". Tears welled up in my eyes...I was there to cheer him up not cry. He started to apologize but I was so thankful that he said what he did - he knew what I needed to hear.
Such a stand up guy - a man that stood by any child that needed a cheerleader. Thank you Uncle Marv for being that person for me.
Very touching and beautiful tribute Bobbie!
ReplyDeleteBobbie, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I know how much family means to you. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear and think I remember you had written about him once before awhile back -
ReplyDeleteNicely done BTW -
All my "good" aunts/uncles/grandparents died before I was a teenager - I sure would have liked to have spent time with them as an adult -
But still have those great memories of growing up = Cheers!