Dear Uncle,
Remember that time when you tried to teach me to water ski? Yeah, that didn't go so well. I'm going to blame it on the fact that there were three flags up (and we'll ignore the "fact" that I'm not naturally athletic). It may not have been my shiniest moment, but it had a greater effect, something that has stayed with me forever - the belief I could try something challenging, and that no matter what, I would be stronger for it.
Because of you I have tried all sorts of things - some wildly successful (like moving to Colorado), and others...well let's not talk about the others. Because of you I made the scariest decision I've ever made and it turned out pretty darn awesome. Because of you, I have the guts to stand up, shoulders square, face people, and be whoever I am...at that moment...(because I'm a woman and we have many personalities...sometimes all in one minute).
I, like you, am the oldest in my family, and it isn't very often that I am comforted rather than comforting, hugged rather than hugging, and understood rather than understanding. You comfort me, hug me and understand me, even when your own heart is breaking.
So thank you. Thank you for giving me a ride on your motorcycle when I was six. Thank you for trusting that I'll always have a beer in my fridge with your name on it. Thank you for being a wonderful uncle. I am very lucky. I love you.
Me.
P.S. Remember that time you sat on the porch at the lake with my dad at night and told me how the bats would never land in my hair? I'm still not sure I believe you.
He is also a god. I learned all about Science Fiction with his small magazines he constantly read.
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