Uncle Corky passed away one year ago today. Sometimes it seems like forever ago, and other times it feels like just yesterday. I think about Uncle Corky all the time, and I miss him very much. And I still feel like I can’t write anything that would do him justice. So I’m just going to repost what I wrote last year.

On January 4, 2007, we lost a very important member of our family. I’ve been hesitant to post anything about Uncle Corky because I didn’t even know where to begin; I still don’t. But I think I’ll just say thank you to Uncle Corky for a few things.

Thank you for letting me sit on your lap when I was little. Thank you for letting me squeeze your nose and for having it make funny noises. Thank you for letting Maya and Roby squeeze your nose and having it make those same funny noises (”ayooga!”). Thank you for telling me your middle name was “Magnificent.” Thank you for taking me to get ice cream just because. Thank you for letting me hang around your house so much, and thank you for being there to chat with me. Thank you for telling me stories about our family. Thank you for adding such things to my daily lexicon as “heh?” and “I got them all cut.” Thank you for calling Maya “George” and letting her call you “Uncle Feeko.” Thank you for driving me so many places. Thank you for bringing me my keys when I locked myself out of my car, and thank you for never letting me forget it. Thank you for giving my mom a hard time, because it meant you loved her. Thank you for giving big hugs. Thank you for our proud liberal political discussions. Thank you for being a good example by showing us the importance of family. Thank you for all those things and so much more.

Like I said, I didn’t know where to begin, and I didn’t think I’d be able to do him justice; and I didn’t. And each thank you barely says anything. What can I say about such a sweet, wonderful uncle?

B-bye, Uncle Corky. I love you and I miss you.

That’s a for sure.