When I was very young, all my Uncles used to hang out in Grandpa's garage listening to baseball on the radio and telling tall tales. This was a "No Girls or Children Allowed" space. Two strikes against me. One day, Grandpa, My Dad and Uncles Russ, Bob and Mike were all there laughing and having a good time. I wanted so badly to be there with them. I was way too young to understand what they were even joking about. All I knew is that garage was full of some of my favorite guys in the world and I wanted to be there too. I sat across the way in front of the laundry room just watching them. Uncle Russ calmly waved me over. I snuck to his side, knowing I was going to get caught and sent away. He didn't say a word. I just stood there, waiting for someone to catch on. Finally after a few minutes, my Dad saw me. He said "Missy, you know the rules." I started to back away and Uncle Russ grabbed my hand. He told My Dad and Grandpa that I was not just any kid, I was an expert on the Dodgers, Grandpas favorite ball team. I was maybe 5!!! Dad and my Uncles didn't say a word, they just looked at Grandpa and waited. After what seemed like an eternity, Grandpa shook his head and started to laugh. he reached over and cleared off the top of his work bench, picked me up and set me on top of it. I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with the coolest guys in my universe. And thanks to Uncle Russ, I had a spot in that garage any time I wanted it.
Uncle Russ,
You were my hero as a child as well as now. You had a fearless way to handle everything life threw your way. You faced life with with a sense of humor the rest of us only wish we had. I am blessed and honored to have spent time with you. You touched the lives of everyone around you. Rest in peace you fabulous human!