My Uncle Michael
********************************************
Thursday, while I was working in Modesto, my sister called me to let me know that my Uncle Michael died early that morning. Uncle Michael Grimaldo is my mom's baby brother. He was born 44 years ago with Cerebral Palsy. Although he was severely handicapped, to me, he never let that get in his way. He may not have been able to walk or talk clearly, his mind was very sharp. He went to high school and college, had jobs, was on a bowling team, and he lived on his own (with assistance) until he died. And my uncle... he knew how to party. (^ ^)
The Grimaldo's, by nature, are artists and artisans. My uncle was a poet. I have a book of his poems, but it's put away in a box right now. I'll have to dig some of them up and post them someday. He wrote of his struggles, and his love of life. Words I have always appreciated and will cherish forever.
I have this wonderful memory of us from the spring of 1988. I was 14 and in the 9th grade. Our California family took a family vactation to Disneyland and my Uncle Michael came down from Michigan to join us. We drove to Anaheim, making stops along the way to visit various extended family members. I remember sitting next to my uncle and on the radio hearing George Michael's "Father Figure". We sang that song together, it was so fun. It was just one of those warm fuzzy moments that was between just him and me. Everytime I hear that song, I remember that evening.
Last time I saw him, was this past June in Michigan. I flew up for my cousins wedding. The days before I left for Michigan, I was so excited. I kept saying "I'm going to see my Uncle Michael, I'm going to see my Uncle Michael, I'm going to see my Uncle Michael". I kept saying it to my family, to my co-workers (who probably got tired of hearing me say it), and to my friends. When I finally got to see him at a family BBQ (see picture), we were so happy to see each other.
The funeral is this Sunday and Monday in Holland, Michigan. Unfortunately, my sister and I are not able to attend. Last minute tickets to travel 2300 miles are pretty damn expensive, and my family lives very modestly and my mom is on a fixed income. So, instead, my sister and I pooled our money together, and with the help of the rest of our family, sent my mother, and another family member, to Michigan. My mother is disabled and cannot travel alone, so we sent as an attendant, a family member who was not able to go to Michigan back in June. She missed her last opportunity to see Uncle Michael, so it seemed right to send her so she could say goodbye.
I love my Uncle Michael, and I'm going to miss him very much. I will cherish every memory I have of him. This unexpected death (probable pneumonia) has hit my family very hard, it is heartbreaking. The only thing that consoles me is knowing that my uncle is in heaven with my grandma and grandpa and my Uncle Mingo. He is no longer in a wheelchair and all six feet of him is running, doing cartwheels, riding a bike, climbing trees, swimming.
He no longer struggles. He no longer suffers. He is free from his earthly bonds.
b
Thursday, while I was working in Modesto, my sister called me to let me know that my Uncle Michael died early that morning. Uncle Michael Grimaldo is my mom's baby brother. He was born 44 years ago with Cerebral Palsy. Although he was severely handicapped, to me, he never let that get in his way. He may not have been able to walk or talk clearly, his mind was very sharp. He went to high school and college, had jobs, was on a bowling team, and he lived on his own (with assistance) until he died. And my uncle... he knew how to party. (^ ^)
The Grimaldo's, by nature, are artists and artisans. My uncle was a poet. I have a book of his poems, but it's put away in a box right now. I'll have to dig some of them up and post them someday. He wrote of his struggles, and his love of life. Words I have always appreciated and will cherish forever.
I have this wonderful memory of us from the spring of 1988. I was 14 and in the 9th grade. Our California family took a family vactation to Disneyland and my Uncle Michael came down from Michigan to join us. We drove to Anaheim, making stops along the way to visit various extended family members. I remember sitting next to my uncle and on the radio hearing George Michael's "Father Figure". We sang that song together, it was so fun. It was just one of those warm fuzzy moments that was between just him and me. Everytime I hear that song, I remember that evening.
Last time I saw him, was this past June in Michigan. I flew up for my cousins wedding. The days before I left for Michigan, I was so excited. I kept saying "I'm going to see my Uncle Michael, I'm going to see my Uncle Michael, I'm going to see my Uncle Michael". I kept saying it to my family, to my co-workers (who probably got tired of hearing me say it), and to my friends. When I finally got to see him at a family BBQ (see picture), we were so happy to see each other.
The funeral is this Sunday and Monday in Holland, Michigan. Unfortunately, my sister and I are not able to attend. Last minute tickets to travel 2300 miles are pretty damn expensive, and my family lives very modestly and my mom is on a fixed income. So, instead, my sister and I pooled our money together, and with the help of the rest of our family, sent my mother, and another family member, to Michigan. My mother is disabled and cannot travel alone, so we sent as an attendant, a family member who was not able to go to Michigan back in June. She missed her last opportunity to see Uncle Michael, so it seemed right to send her so she could say goodbye.
I love my Uncle Michael, and I'm going to miss him very much. I will cherish every memory I have of him. This unexpected death (probable pneumonia) has hit my family very hard, it is heartbreaking. The only thing that consoles me is knowing that my uncle is in heaven with my grandma and grandpa and my Uncle Mingo. He is no longer in a wheelchair and all six feet of him is running, doing cartwheels, riding a bike, climbing trees, swimming.
He no longer struggles. He no longer suffers. He is free from his earthly bonds.
b
posted by Yvette @ 2/11/2006
1 Comments:
At 2/14/2006,
Anonymous said…
Yvette:
You have just about the biggest heart in the world. It is so big that it takes in other people's pain as well as their pleasure. It's a rare gift to be you and a rare gift to those who know you. Never forget that.
Donalyn
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