The world lost a gentle spirit last month. I’ve been wanting to write this since the day of his funeral but there have been so many memories to process. Rich died unexpectedly after suffering a stroke. Technically, he’s my ex-brother-in-law, but as I reminded at the funeral, I will always be family no matter what. He will always be my daughter’s uncle. He was our friend and like a father to my daughter ever since she started high school. Rich looked after her while she lived by herself in an apartment in Nashville. He would take her shopping and loved to take her to eat the Rain Forest Cafe at Opry Mills. He took us to eat there a couple of times too. We had never eaten at a Rain Forest Cafe until Rich took us there.
Before Megan learned to drive, he would bring her down to visit us. He would always bring me roses when he came to visit. Then he always took time to visit his priest friend in Cullman, Alabama. Rich was also the person who taught Megan to drive and a major influence on her choice of cars. He had a Cobalt, so Megan got a Cobalt. If Megan had problems with her car, he would take her to get it fixed.
Rich accepted us unconditionally, we were still family no matter what. He never took sides. Sometimes I would get a little frustrated when Megan should have been job hunting, he would be picking her up and taking her to Nashville Shores to spend the day swimming or take her the mall. But that was just the way he was.
I was a little worried when we went to the funeral, I truly feared the drama that could erupt. Those of you have followed my blog know where that drama originates from. But that all melted away when Rich’s sister Diane welcomed us with open arms. We must have talked for an hour catching up. I also spent time catching up with his brother John and his wife Paulette. Diane reminded me I was still family no matter what. She has the same gentle spirit that Rich had.
One time I looked up and saw the spitting image of Rich in his son Matt. My heart goes out to all of his children and grandchildren, as they know exactly how their father and our friend will be missed.
May the wings of your Guardian Angel wrap around you and comfort you.