Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Uncle Sammy
I was blessed with the best uncle in the world. He was always around when we were growing up. I don't know of a brother and sister that had a closer relationship than my mom and Uncle Sammy. He married a little later so he would spend the night at our house some, and we would be so excited. Not many uncles would trade a good night sleep for little feet stuck in his back all night, but Uncle Sammy always did. I begged and begged my parents for a typewriter as a kid, yes I've always been a nerd, and Uncle Sammy delivered on my birthday. I spent hours typing on that thing. We loved going to Brentwood Rental, the store he owned, and playing on all the equipment. We would sit on all the mowers pretending to drive. He would let me ride in the wheelchairs he rented all over the store and played on anything else we could find. Bryan's first job was at the Rental store. Sammy was going to teach us how to drive a stick-shift. He was always there for us and so fun. He would have turned 60 today. (Technically he would be 16 because he was a leap baby, and we were so excited as kids when we had the birthday that made us older than Uncle Sammy :)
Starting the summer before my senior year of high school, his cancer came back. Jessie and I routinely drove to St. Thomas to see him and meet mom who had already been there most of the day. Then when he was sent home, we drove to Franklin most days after school to meet Mom there, talk with Uncle Sammy, and play with Sarah and Stan. It was incredibly hard watching this big man shrink away before our eyes and knowing he was in constant pain. In the wee hours of the morning of November 9, 1998, Mom and Dad came into our rooms to see if we wanted to stay there or go to Sam and Danna's house. Danna had just called to say the time was coming. We all quickly dressed and headed out. We were gathered around him telling him how much we loved him and that it was ok to go on as we watched him take his last breath. Then we all took turns giving him a final hug and kiss. He was 46. Jessie and I spent the rest of the night holding Sarah (age 10 at the time) and Stan (age 7 at the time). It was the closest person to me I had ever lost. That year I realized what an incredibly strong woman my mom was and is. She had always been a fabulous mom, but now I saw how strong she really was. She had lost her father to heart disease when she was 13, taken care of and lost her mother to colon cancer when she was 28, and then lost her only sibling to stomach cancer when she was 43. I still have never heard her be bitter or angry about it. I know she's had her moments, but she never let us see. She let us see her be sad about it to teach us that life is hard sometimes, and it's ok to be sad, but you just keep going. She is an amazing woman.
Uncle Sammy, I still love you and miss you every day: I can't eat at Cracker Barrell without thinking about all the times we met you there for breakfast, it was our spot. I can't see the candy War Heads without thinking how you always had one in your mouth. I can't smell motor oil without thinking of you and the Rental Store. I can't see a short-sleeved plaid button-up shirt without thinking of you, b/c that's about all you wore. Whenever I go to Gatlinburg--you're right there in my thoughts from all the trips Mom took us on with you there. And everytime I look at Baby Sam, I think of you and how it's funny that he really does look like you, his namesake. You were such a great uncle--I am a better person for having you as one. I wish my little girlies could have known you. Sarah and Stan, I am so proud of the woman and man you have grown up to be, and I know your Daddy is too.
Sammy with two of Mom's best friends in college
My parents' wedding: Uncle Sammy, Mom, Dad, Grandma Becky (Mom's Mom), Grandma Ludy (Mom's Grandma)
Grandma Becky, Bryan and Uncle Sammy at Brentwood Rental
Bryan, me and Uncle Sammy in 1981
me and Bryan taking a nap with Sammy
Sammy and Jessie in 1985
Sam, me, Bryan, Jessie, and Danna at the Memphis zoo when we went to visit our future Aunt Danna
Sam and Danna's wedding which we were all in
Sammy in Disney World the spring before he got sick
Sarah, me, Stan, and Jessie at my 18th birthday a few days before we lost himThis part is from me:
I am proud to have a child named after this wonderful man, and I pray that our Sam will be a great and honorable man like Uncle Sammy was. Love you and miss you, Uncle Sammy!!
