Hi Everyone,
I’m AJ’s great uncle (his dad’s uncle) Jim. Or — when AJ is feeling cocky — Jamie. I was in high school when his dad, David, was born. David was the first child in the next generation of our family — my first nephew, my parents’ first grandchild. A new beginning, with red hair.
I will never forget the feeling of wonder, excitement, and pride I felt the first time I held him. Watching him crawl on the floor at my parents’ house on his first Christmas was true joy. Being able to babysit him the first few years of his life and feel the responsibility for him — however brief — was a special gift. Playing with him in the house or out in the yard always brought a smile to my face.
Now, almost 50 years later, I look at David’s legacy — Mina, Will, AJ, and Maggie. And I’m still in wonder and amazement. In his short life, David was able to accomplish so much by creating this special family and passing along many of his wonderful attributes.
In Will, I see David’s analytical side, his quiet thoughtfulness, and sly smile. AJ has his drive and willingness to try new things. Maggie got his adventurous spirit and confidence. And Mina has been the ringleader — keeping it all together no matter what.
Since David died, I’ve been blessed to be able to spend some extended quality time with the kids. The commitment they have to each other, their mom, their grandparents and extended family, and to their dad’s memory is amazing.
The night after David died, I was helping get Will and AJ to bed. Maggie was already asleep in her mom’s room. We sat on the lower bunk in their room, as I read a couple books to them. The boys then started asking some questions about death, and what happens to you after you die. I did the best I could to answer them. Then AJ asked me (though I’m sure he won’t remember) if he could still talk to his dad even though he was gone. I told him that his dad would always be with him and that he could always talk to his dad in his thoughts and through his heart, and if he listened carefully, he’d hear his dad answer him.
Every now and then, when I’m thinking of David, he tells me how proud he is of his family and the people they’ve become.
The commitment to the 200-mile Camino challenge that AJ, Will, Maggie, and Mina have made is their way of showing their strength as a family. It’s a tribute, memory, and a message of love to David. But it’s also a fundraiser for the Sarcoma Foundation to fund research and treatments so that maybe one day another family won’t have to experience the same loss they have. Thank you to everyone who has — or will — donate to this important cause.
AJ will write next week.
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