Goodbye

Earlier in the day, I found out my uncle Keith would not make it through the next 24 hours. He’d been ill for a year or so but had taken a turn for the worst in the last few months as his treatment stopped working and his options ran out.

His death was also the third loss I’d experienced within as many months. I’d had a miscarriage, and my second dad had died unexpectedly. I couldn’t handle another one. And then I saw this sunset and knew it was inevitable. Uncle Keith was saying goodbye. That brought me a sense of peace as I burst into tears with the realization.

It’s been several years, and I still miss him so much. He was a much-beloved uncle, friend and mentor. I know he wouldn’t want me to dwell on him not being here anymore, so I won’t. I’ll just remember this final goodbye with a smile and the drive to make him proud and to keep on keeping on as he would want me to.