Category: News

In Memory of Jeffrey

To say that February was horrible would be an understatement. For those who don’t know, there was a second death in my family.


Flashback to the 1990s–the culdesac of redacted. buzzed with laughter and games; it was THE place to be for us kids. Jeffrey had always been a big part of it all. He was funny and kind no matter how silly my Lion King shirts were or how frizzy my hair was; it didn’t matter. There was always a fervor of excitement over baseball and football, and trading cards was serious business back then. He had the crown jewel, #80 Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers. I traded whatever he wanted for it because I *had* to have it. When the big day came, he put the card in a nice plastic case, which it still resides in to this day. 

I miss you, Jeffrey. I have always treasured my Jerry Rice card. 


I have many fond memories of us all piling in Tim’s giant, wood paneled station wagon, but none stand out as much as a trip to San Francisco one year. As Tim drove down the winding streets, Jeffery rolled down his window with a smirk.

“BUNGOOOOOOWWWWW!” he shouted at the pedestrians.* There was no containing the laughter that followed! I’ll never forget that trip, and I will forever cherish this memory.

*This is what he shouted to the best of my memory. 

In Memory

My Uncle Joey passed away suddenly, and I am devastated. He was, without a doubt, the kindest person on Earth. He was always happy, and when he saw us kids, he made us feel as though we were the most important people in the universe. I would get so excited at the prospect of visiting him and run around exclaiming, “Uncle Joey! Uncle Joey!”

The ring now hangs on my favorite necklace

I’ll never forget the road-trip my mother, step-dad, and I took before I was about to leave home forever to embark on the great adulthood adventure.

He lived in a sea-side village in Oregon at the time. He had these “totally awesome” copper rings. When he saw how much I liked them, he gave me one. I always think of him when I open my jewelry box to rummage through the day’s assortment of earrings, rings, and bracelets, and spot it. I have always smiled at it.

It is not always easy living so far away from my relatives, so I try to fly out West when I can. I am so utterly thankful that I flew out there in August and got to see him. He greeted me with open arms as though he saw me yesterday. He told me all about his cats, and I’ll never forget the loving way he said their names.

Puddin’
Charlie

I have a work trip on that side of the country in April, and I was still just as excited as I was when I was a kid that I’d get to see him afterwards. My mother kept telling me that he’d always ask her when I was coming out again. Words cannot express the sadness I feel now.

Treasure those you love because they will not be on this planet forever.

I miss you, Uncle Joey