My Uncle

It's taken me a few days to be able to write this post. It's all been surreal. On Sunday, I got a phone call letting me know that my Uncle Ken was nearing the end of a painful battle with cancer. Thanks to FaceTime, Matthew and I were able to see him one last time before he passed and tell him how much we loved him. He was only 46 years old and leaves behind his wife and two teenage children. He left us too soon, but it gives me comfort to know that he is no longer suffering. This summer when we were in Portland we spent a lot of time with Uncle Ken and got to see who he really was. He was the kind of person who, while recovering in the hospital from a long and intensive surgery, was working to purchase a beautiful new home for his family. He was the kind of person who, while undergoing chemotherapy, used all the energy he had left to get his family moved in and settled into their new home. We didn't understand why he would choose to buy a new home and move right in the middle of his cancer treatment. But now it's clear why: he was entirely devoted to the happiness and well-being of his family. He wanted to make sure that they would well taken care of, no matter what would happen. I admire my uncle so much. His strength. His quiet humility. His grace through suffering. His thoughtfulness. His loyalty and dedication to his family. He was and is a beautiful soul that will be missed greatly and always remembered.