Uncles...

Ms Katie had three sisters and five brothers; I have a bunch of uncles! One of the many favorites is Johnny, the youngest brother.

Uncle Johnny was around a lot when I was a kid. Ms Katie made sure he was always welcome in our house. I'm not sure the exact reason he is a favorite - maybe because I saw him often, maybe because he always had a smile and laughed easily or maybe because he was the wild child, rebel and self-proclaimed 'black sheep' of the family!

When Uncle Johnny was around you just expected to be teased; that still holds true based on our dinner together! There was a glint in his eye and a smile at the corners of his mouth when we greeted. In his softspoken voice the teasing starts. If you respond in kind, there is a low, quiet gutteral laugh, the glint becomes a sparkle and with his eyes already laughing the floodgate opens!! It still takes work to verbally keep up with Johnny; the bantering back and forth is only interrupted when his head tilts back and the gutteral laugh is not longer quiet but loud and infectious! When I was a kid I was sure the whole world could hear him laugh!

Johnny is a little stooped, thinner than I remember, tires easily and just like the other uncles, his health is in decline. What a treat to share a meal, be teased unmercilessly and hear him laugh again!