Yup!

There is an art to saying Yup!

Start slow and add two y's - yyyup!

Now add a slight rise in pitch and clip the p off short. Yyyup!

Slow and low, rise and cut off quick - yyyup! Yyyup! It may take a little practise.

Uncle Jack is a man of few words but you know it is all good when he says, "Yyyup!"

Jack is Ms Katie's older brother.

"Jack, would like to play cribbage?"

"Yyyup!" He beat us twice! Jack has played many hands of cribbage during his 86 years.

"Jack, would you like us to make lunch?"

"Yyyup!" Meatballs, mashed potatoes and Ms Katie's special cream gravy and life is good.

"Jack, are you making coffee for us in the morning?"

"Yyyup! I make it strong!" And it was strong!

Jack drove a truck, a dark green Peterbuilt cabover. For years he and the truck covered miles and miles, crossing both Canada and the United States numerous times. As he told stories of different places, crazy loads, driving partners and close calls, his eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth lifted in a not too common smile.

As we got ready to get back on the road, Ms Katie hugged Jack, her brother; hard of hearing, with eyesight dimming, slight of stature, feeling every bone and with whispered I love yous they said goodby.