My best friend in the state of Oregon died this morning. He was also my uncle.
In the six or so years that I've lived here, and have lived beside him, he welcomed me into the family and we sat many a night and weekend debating life, the yard, and what we wanted to do.
It's only been about 5 hours since, and the house is already cold and lonely. I will miss sitting outside in the front yard in the summer, having our "summer drinks" and talking. I will miss sitting in the winter in his part of the house and having our "winter drinks" and talking. The funny thing being, our summer and winter drinks were always the same.
He was what I would consider young, I think he was 60. His birthday was just this past September. He "retired" due to disability, his leukemia started back up and his back was going out. During the past couple of months he got to where he could barely walk but that didn't stop him. Then, a few weeks ago I went over and he wasn't doing so well. It was the beginning of the end.
At least I got to talk with him on Monday night. He was doing abit better and was coherant, or moreso than he was when he came home on Sunday, and we got to talk abit. I will cherish that.
I was over last night and he was asleep but you could tell he was in some pain, even with the morphine. I just thank God that he died in his sleep, at home, and not in so much pain.
So, I'm home today, have a really bad stomach ache and headache. I should have stayed at work but I didn't feel like doing anything. So since I have a few things that I need to do today I figured that I could do them here just as well.
My uncle was a Korean War Veteren. He drove the APV, I don't know what SOP (or whatever it's called in the Army) that was. He was proud of his service, as am I.
This is going to be really hard on the family, especially my Grandmother. This was the 2nd son that she's lost this year, and her last. We all knew that it was coming but it doesn't make it any easier on anyone. Me, I've lost family before but I will say that my Uncle wasn't only family, he was my best friend.
Well Uncle Donny, I want to thank you for being a great Uncle, and a great Friend. May you Rest in Peace and know that you were loved and appreciated.
Donny Howard Hunter: 1945 - 2005
Wayne
*thank you for allowing me to post this here. I know that Rich and Oleg don't like OT forums but I thank them that APS is here today. For I needed to say my peace and to thank my Uncle for being there for me, and for being the person that he was.
