I don't know why I'm thinking of it, but in 1975, the day... [View all]

...my mother died, my uncle by marriage, pulled me aside and gave me $500 "to cover expenses."

That's like $3000 in today's money. He never asked for an accounting. He told me he didn't want to be repaid.

I wasn't working, my full time activity being taking care of my mother as she died. My father was near collapse with grief and my brother as always was worse than useless.

That was the kind of man my uncle was. He was a picture of decency and grace, quiet, unassuming, simply a beautiful human being. I never heard a cross word from him.

I just thought of him for some reason; he is long gone.

I just want to say way too late "Thank you Uncle John!" It was a very hard time for my father and I, both of near total breakdown and I am happy to have remembered my uncle just now.