November 18, 2006~Wake me when it is over!

I love you Joe!
Okay, so it has been a little over a week since the news came and I still do not know quite how to react. I have to say that it really came as a surprise, and maybe it will hit home a little more when I go to the memorial. He was more like a brother to me than an uncle. He lived with my family and I for so many years, and was always around when I was growing up. I know that I will miss him, but it has been so long since I have seen him. Over the past few years I feel like we had grown apart. There were a lot of choices he had made that I could just not come to terms with. I was angry with him for his choices and selfishness. I really wanted to see him grow up and be a father. I wanted to tell him that he was pushing so many people away who cared so much... I will regret that I was never able to do this. I will also love the memories of who he used to be. I hope that everyone can look past the faults and love the man that he truly was. He will be very missed. I want everyone who knew him to know that he is in a better place where he can not feel pain any more. I know that he would want us all to smile and be happy for all the good memories we have of him. I love you Uncle Joe, I always will, and you will always be a part of me!