one hundred and thirty seven

Twenty two years ago, tomorrow, we came here to Saint Mary’s for my Uncle Rich and new Aunt Julie’s wedding. Today, in a simple, heartfelt and crowded service, we said goodbye to him one last time.

A multitude of memories and stories have been shared since his passing. Stories of strength, stories of hope, and stories of love. Memories of how Rich loved and worked and played and how he threw himself into his passions came from family, friends, coworkers and even those who knew of him through acquaintances.

Despite all of the meaningful and eulogy worthy stories that I have heard this week, there have been two personal memories that have stuck with me today.

He called me Beccaboo. No one else ever did (well, maybe my mom…).

I remember him often singing me Stevie Wonder’s “I just called to say I love you”. I also remember that on several occasions the lyrics went more like this, “I just called to say, I’m hungry/ I just called to say I’m star-ar-ving/ I just called to say, I’m hungry/ and I mean it from the bottom of my-y-y stomach!”

It’s funny what the heart latches onto. He was an upstanding man, a devoted husband and father, and a very cool and funny uncle. He was so loved and will be so missed.