Rest in Peace, Uncle Vern

My Uncle Vern died yesterday. He had Alzheimer's and pneumonia, so his death wasn't much of a surprise. Still, I guess it never really hits that you're about to lose someone until they're actually gone.

Uncle Vern was my oldest living uncle. When I was a little girl, he was loads of fun to be around. He was always smiling and full to the brim with jokes and funny stories. I fondly remember the way he used to pop out his teeth and tell me never to take up smoking or I'd lose my teeth, too. He was a warm, loving man and an all-around good uncle.

It was heartbreaking to watch Alzheimer's steal Uncle Vern's memory, turning his entire family into strangers. The past few times I saw him, he was as sweet as ever, but he had no idea who I was. I didn't visit him in the nursing home, as I didn't want to make him feel bad about not knowing me. Alzheimer's is one of the cruelist diseases.

The next family reunion will feel somewhat lonlier without Uncle Vern. An empty chair will remind us all of the smiling man whom we'll only be able to visit in memories from now on. We'll all miss him, I'm sure.

Rest in peace, Uncle Vern.