“What Would My Uncle Say”

I attended a funeral recently. One of my uncles passed away and the family honored his life on January 22, 2026. Losing loved ones is always emotionally challenging and this is only slightly lessened by the presence of so many loving family members gathered in remembrance.

I’ve had a day to reflect on my relationship with my uncle. I hope that every nephew could be so fortunate. My uncle and I did not talk everyday, sometimes going months at a time without speaking. We saw each other even less frequently obviously. On the surface we may not have  appeared to be “close” but our conversations would prove otherwise. 

As a teenager I would see my uncle through occasional visits with my dad. In my twenties I saw less of him but we still did talk sparingly. This changed as I entered my thirties.

One evening as I was working I had to visit a local hospital. Upon entering the building, I noticed my uncle sitting in a chair behind the desk.  I said to him, “What are you doing here?” Working he said. He looked at me and said. What are you doing here? I said, working.

From that point on, I saw my uncle on several occasions at the same hospital. We would have conversations about family and sports and life. I became comfortable talking to him about my personal life and my family life at this point. It was during these conversations that my uncle would reveal a very important question to me that helped to shape not only his and our relationship, but my relationship with my father as well. Whenever I asked a question of serious nature my uncle would respond by asking either one of these questions: Did you talk to your father or what did your father have to say about that?

If you take these questions at face value, you may miss the importance of their intention or their purpose. However, I understood exactly what my uncle was saying to me.

You see, my uncle talked to my father every day. I know that my uncle realized that I did not speak to my father every day. This was my uncle’s chance to encourage me to have a better relationship with my dad. My uncle gave me the advice that I sought. He always encouraged me to be my best, but he always made sure that I included my dad in my life and included him in my decision making. Much appreciated Uncle Jimmy.

Now, whenever I talk to my dad, sons, brother, uncles or nephews  I stop and ask myself “What would my uncle say?”

Rest in Peace Uncle Jimmy,

With Love From Your Nephew