My Uncle Joea died this morning 31st October 2007 ... What a year this has been, first my cousin and her four kids are murdered by her husband, then my friend David dies, My fathers older brother passed and now Joey. I feel so sad and so far away from my family right now. I always thought I had a pretty good attitude towards death - as in, it happens so embrace it - now I just think that they are no longer on this planet and I am going to miss them so much.
I love, I can't get myself to say 'loved' just yet, my uncle Joey so much. He looked like an old cowboy to me - his wrinkled face and strong hands, he loved to read and would lecture me when he was drunk. He called me Zella and would sing Green berets to me when I asked haha he spoke a made up language which he said was German and for the longest time I actually believed that it was. He and Stretchy bought me kit-kats and salt & vinegar chips as treats and he made a mean tomato bredie. He could sometimes be a bastard haha and I loved that he called my Mama, Grace. He loved me fiercely and often told with great pride the story of how he looked after me for a while while we lived in Nigel and how I called him 'Daddy'. The Boys, Joey and Raymond (Stretch) looked after me, put up with my mischievous childhood antics, scolded me, hugged me, kissed me and shouted at me. They helped form my expectations of men and through their love for me I developed a sense of self respect. I wanted to make t hem proud and happy of their 'Alal'.
Uncle Joea I love you and will miss you so much - may you Rest in Peace
