Tribute

Two weeks home today. And I am exhausted right now. The first week was basically jet lag free(!), but for two days I have begun to drag. Luckily my excuse isn’t only jet lag. Our family suffered the loss of a man who was so full of life that even in death he was the party.

This man was my Uncle Manuel. He was Mexican. He was 70 years old. He was told he only had weeks to live—five years ago! He is the man who taught me to be skeptical, to properly shoot tequila and to laugh loud and hearty. He never met a stranger or showed anyone anything but love and even when he was in pain he was comforting them around him. I could watch his hands work for hours as he would upholster this and that while whistling mariachi tunes and singing a happy ditty. He will live in our hearts and what he has taught us we will teach to the next generation. He was amazing; his legacy and influence already spans generations and will never be forgotten.