A Life of "Somedays"

The phone buzzed Sunday morning as it often does to announce the usual email or two I’m lucky enough to get from family and friends.  Sunday’s are great days spent with a start that can only be described as reluctant and suitably paced.  The usual routine involves Nan and I deciding who’s making coffee and then it’s the couch in lounge wear as the day does it’s level best to pierce the shutters.  Nowhere to go and no plans. Perfect.

This past Sunday kicked off with a slightly different color too it.  My Father had sent an email to my sisters and brother with the subject matter of “Sad News”.  This is usually the subject that leads some tale of local hockey woes but not today.  My Father’s anguish could be felt across cyberspace.  His email announced the passing of my Uncle Don.

Don Chamberlain was a big man in more ways than just height.  He was well over six feet tall and had shoes that nearly matched that measurement.  For as long as I can remember my parents and the Chamberlains were great friends.  They met as neighbors and seemed to follow each other around for what amounted to years of one of the greatest friendships I’d ever seen.  Uncle Don always had time for me and was always genuinely and legitimately interested in me and my life.  I always felt that he was as much my friend as he was a friend to my parents.  A big deep voice, a firm handshake, brilliant smile and a laugh that filled more than a few rooms. 

Life threw Uncle Don a few tough curves but he always managed to smile,  stand tall and make time for others.  He lost his wife too soon and his daughter even sooner.  Hardships I hope you don’t realize for many years yet.  While I know he shed tears I also know he kept on just like those he left behind would have wanted.

Since the motorcycle I’d often thought that I needed to get out to Guelph to see my Uncle Don to show him the bike.  He was an Engineer and a very technical and brilliant man.  I wondered if he’d like the bike or rattle of the dangerous stats associated with such pursuits.  Regardless of where that chat may have gone I’d have loved it as much as every other chat we ever had.  I can hear him in my mind now with absolute clarity.  I can see his eyes close up as he laughs.  Brilliant.  I’ve lost that chance.

The lesson is a rather simple one and one we’ve all had handed to us more than once.  The “one day I’ll do this…” or “one day I’ll do that…”  may well leave you out of days as “the day” may never come.  See more friends, see more family and maybe reconsider priorities and get them in order.  True order. 

Don’t live a life of “Somedays”