Uncle MacPherson
I could never fully spell your name so calling you Uncle Marky and father suited me just fine. I remember things about you but as I write this I’ve changed sentences a few times, trying to be honest with myself just like you taught.
Did I know everything about you, what makes everything? Did I even know you? I’ve been going over the qualities you embodied. I’ve been going over you? What will I remember most?
Being funny was one of your endearing qualities. I think it would have to everything about you. The good, the bad and the ugly. You have been a great big man. A father figure who I’ve listened to, watched and learned from. You really knew how to live life. It’s not about the drinking, but how you were international about your life. Refusing to be manipulated by anyone and anything. Not every decision was the right one and you were very honest with who you were to me. You would weave all manners of tails about your life, your failings and successes and then you’d always end our sessions by saying, “I don’t know if it is good or bad. That is for you to decide”
You always had this huge grin on your face. It’s the face I had been accustomed to seeing on winners. You told me never have regrets in life, there can be things you don’t do that end up as regrets but worse still are the things you do that you regret. Especially if from the start you feel pressured into it. Fail or succeed on your terms, decide what the world will look like and do it on your terms. Give up and ride the wave, on your terms.
If you settle in life, then settle don’t beat yourself up, it changes nothing. If you have ambition then strive and don’t get upset with life when the striving gets tough. There is a price to pay for everything we do and we will have to pay that price. We will have to do things we’ve never been able to do in order to live the life we have been given. It’s not about being wrong or right its about living.
You never missed a match of football if you could and it was amongst the rarest of places where your sense of humour always got you into a fight. I always secretly think you wanted to see the opposition fans react to your taunts. I saw you get into a fight once I was scared but soon as it was done you were laughing and moving on with life. Joking and laughing. With a grin that held a million secrets as you lived life a winner. People define success differently and you showed that life was too short to not spend it in the heart of what you loved. And you loved people, you spent your time connecting and nurturing people.
Even taking a moment was enough to put a smile on your face as you shared a moment with another human. I remember once you were telling me a secret but the whole house heard and they came into the kitchen laughing. When everyone stopped laughing you smiled your big bright smile and said, “we are a loud family we can’t even have secrets” then you laughed your brilliant laugh. Oh what a man, what a brilliant man you are. A great loss but your words have always stayed with me.
What a grand adventure your life has been, what a blessing you have been. Rest Dad, your memory will forever be a source of strength. Your legacy as a teacher went beyond the classroom and even now you’re not here but you’re still teaching me all about life. Rest in power Uncle MacPherson. One simply does not become ready to let go, and even with this I keep writing because I don’t want to stop thinking of you. Oh what a tragic week it’s been, what a tragic life awaits void of your passion for people and life.
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. –
Mark Twain
You lived and your every breathe was evident as it touched many a soul. I will forever miss you even as I will forever keep you in my heart. May your memory linger through everything that connects us together until the threads of time call upon me for my time. I love you Uncle Macky, you’ll forever be loved.
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