Six Word Saturday invites you to share six words each Saturday, that tell about your life. This week (and especially today) I've been contemplating the last six words of my uncle's life:
"No you won't."
I loved this man for lots of reasons, including that he looked a lot like my Daddy and walked like him too, that his birthday was today and therefore bang between my Dad's and mine, and that when his little dog bit my hand, he smacked it. Ha ha.
My Six Words this Saturday are basically his last conversation with my cousin, who was his caregiver at the end of his days, my uncle having no kids of his own. At the end of visiting hours one night, she wished him good night and said, "See you tomorrow." Every night he answered her with the same words, until the night he said, "No you won't."
Considering where they were, she couldn't blame him for being grumpy. But as she walked away through the hospital corridors on her way to the exit and her car, he was pulling off his hated oxygen mask and falling asleep, to die.
I thought he was fabulous for being so independent and so strong. He'd had enough of this you-know-what, so ciao baby, he's outta here. What a great way to go.
Uncle W, you were too cool for this world.
Nelson Mandela once said:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us: it's in everyone."
God sometimes I think I have so much to learn, and not nearly enough time.
I took this photo last year at Disneyland Paris, as we left the park on our last night there. If you like reflections of the literal kind, you'll love James at Newtown Photo, who hosts a weekly photo meme called Weekend Reflections that's really too good to pass up. Quilly's entry this week just blew me away.
Speaking of travel, Bookrix is hosting a travel-writing short story contest with a twist: your travel can be across continents or back through time, into other countries or your own imagination. (There are cash prizes folks, but the deadline's approaching fast.) I've certainly been traveling a lot through time and memory this week... thanks for sticking it out with me!
Where have you been that's good?
33 comments: join in!:
I love the story of your Uncle and your reflection is wonderful.
Long Overdue
Thanks Nessa!
That is a great story, as are all of your stories.
I agree with you about the so much to learn and not near enough time. I know I am young but time is slipping by so fast I don't even know how to catch it.
Oh my goodness! What a post, Susan. I loved every word. Your uncle truly was too cool but you captured the words to share his beautiful story with us. Your cousin is also an angel for taking care of him. I guess your uncle chose his own way in life and ended it in his own way also. Very beautiful, very touching.
Ashley, I could live a thousand years and it wouldn't be long enough! LOL
Thanks Kay! All my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and parents have died now, but many of them died so well they're my heroes. Like Butch Cassidy or Casey Jones LOL.
You are a writer Susan. And your uncle was a true Irishman. Those six words are so powerful -- a moving story.
I really like your photo. It has a nice subtlety to it. Thanks for sharing your uncle's words, your story and your photo.
What a great story and the reflection picture is just awesome. Well done my friend :)
Loved your Uncle story. Sure he is smiling on you.
The time does go to fast, and I have a long bucket list.
Yes, all of your stories are great -- the one about your uncle is among the greatest! What a wonderful man! And, oh, that I could be that wise, that strong! I'm glad for one thing and that is that even at my "advanced" age I haven't stopped reaching for everything, anything, all things. Those things that enrich our days, stimulate our minds, touch our hearts, move our souls. Keep telling it like you see it, feel it, know it to be. I'm right there with you!
Enjoy the moment!
Sylvia
Thanks AW! I like the Six Word Saturday as an exercise; boiling the whole week down to the most hard-hitting thing is a challenge but a discovery too.
Thom, mahalo honey! You got your keyboard fixed? LOL
Brighid, is it me, or does time seem to accelerate as we get older??!
Sylvia, I wish the same thing! Instead of trying to dodge or outrun Death, I want to be one of those who walk up and punch him in the face LOL.
Was never broken. I just don't know Russian LOL
Sorry pal, I had to laugh...punching Death square in the jaw seems fitting somehow. [And this from the woman who has to write the occasional check to hubby's vendor named Grim Reaper].
I'm sure your relatives feel honored to read this. Well of COURSE they have internet in Heaven, how else can the dearly departed keep an eye on us? ;)
Great story...
OK, Thom, spasibo for the details lol
Hope, what I like is that your husband deals in weaponry with GR! Ack!
Thanks ramblingwoods!
Truly, I enjoy your stories so much! And, that was a great picture from Disneyland.
Cool! :)
I have been there, by the way.
In the baloon also.
A great trip!
You brought good memories to my mind right now. :D
Thanks Mama!
Ida, *no way* was I going up in that thing, too scared LOL But we love that place and go when we can.
So sad but in a way good that he had the opportunity to make his own choice. The day we cease to learn or refuse to learn is the day we might as well shed this mortal coil. There is never enough time.
I think your uncle and my gram had a lot in common. I am certain I would have loved him.
Thanks for the shout out on my lens flare pic. I think your reflection capture is suberb as well.
Amen, Baino!
Thanks Quilly!
Susan,great post from the heart. I think your uncle was a very brave man. What an honor to have been related to him. I know your birthday is coming up, so I wish you a wonderful day of old and new memories.
Thanks Janie! --I had wonderful folks in my family; I wish they hadn't (mostly) gone away.
I so admire and respect this post. God bless your uncle for insisting on his dignity. I love it.
Thanks for Mandela's words. Needed them tonight.
And your photo is wonderful.
What a moving post! Indeed, weekend reflections tend to wander from the clutter of the recent week and seek beauty somewhere else! And loved the photo too!
Thanks Sandy! When I heard he'd died (this was years ago) I was so sad; then when I heard the rest of the story, I was so proud. Mandela's quote is made more marvellous coming from him, his life; who knows better the possibilities in us all?
GT, I love the way you put it, and it's true! I love the weekends. Thanks!
What a man he must have been, Susan. Your post is a tribute to his memory.
That was a great tribute to your uncle!
Thanks, Susanna and Otin!
Thought the Six word Saturday was a nice tribute to your Uncle.
Loved the Reflection, Welcome aboard the Game Kid, Spock would be Pleased.
Phasers set to Neutral.
Lovely tribute to your Uncle. It's a wonderful story, and the Mandela quote is so appropriate. Great reflection photo, great post altogether! Kathy
It's good that you had an uncle to admire and now to remember.
Great reflection. Paris is one of my favorite places.
I've done so much traveling in the past year and I'll be doing lots more in the months to come.
I'm not much of a writer but I'll post plenty of pictures.
Thanks for sharing your story and your reflection.
I'm storing that memory of your uncle away for fiction mining in later years. It's a very powerful story and I feel there are a myriad of meanings to be found within it.
Thanks for sharing.
Wow, amazing story about your uncle. It gave me chills a bit.
Thanks for playing 6WS - sorry I'm so late visiting this week.
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