Lost my dad 13 years ago.Was my Dad and was my best friend.We'd go chop wood down together and spend lots of good traveling time discussing things like...well you know what we discuss about between friends!
Thursday night,I went to the hospital to visit JG.He was my uncle but we've always acted like brothers.He was 10 years older than I.He had introduced me to shooting,hunting and fishing.I called him ''Pet'' but not in the English way.In Qc,French is our 1st language and pet is translated into...fart;not meaning any disrespect to JG;the nickname was given to him because he was so small(5'5'' and 140#)and moved so swiftly that once,a guy said about him:''he's moving around so swiftly that you have to smell him to know that he's nearby!''And another to add:''it would be easier to know he's around if he'd smell like a fart!''.And the nickname sticked.

Like I said,he introduced me to shooting;my Dad never wanted a firearm in the house(one of his cousin accidentally shot himself while hunting).I always was attracted by firearms.When I was 16,JG came home and lend me his .22 rifle and a box of ammo.A little later on,he brought me partridge hunting.And from then on,it went up to a beautiful story of fishing and hunting and shooting with my lifelong friend.

Like I said,last Thursday I went to the hospital.JG was there,laying on that bed,weighting less than 100#s.He couldn't even speak.Damn cancer;I'm getting old and soft and couldn't kill a cat or a dog but if I could meet mr cancer,I'd sure fill it with lead!I told JG I was there,told him I'd take care of what he'd asked me to do for his family and then,he raised his arm.The man didn't have the strenght to talk but he raised his arm to hug me.I hugged him back.My wife was silently crying for she knows the bound betwen JG and me..Friday noon,he was gone.
JG,hope there's guns to shoot where you are...and load up a good stash of ammo for when I get there with you.

*****,I really got the blues today!
Qc

I'm sad for your loss, but happy that you've had men like that in your life. The worst part about life is saying goodbye to those you've come to love so much.

Mourn the loss, but celebrate their life.

Nothing lasts forever and you should be glad for those times that you had because they are in your memories and your heart and there they will stay.

I wish that I could say I enjoyed time with my Dad but it was pretty sparse. Though we did go fishing together a couple of times, work was his life and it was the only time he was comfortable, right up until the end a few months ago. The way I remember him best was helping work on projects like installing central air and building his garage. Those times were relatively free of tension and I treasure them.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Sorry about your loss. As long as you hold the memories, he will always be with you. My dad died in 1986, and I still talk to him when I go fishing or hunting. Makes me feel good.

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Just a shooter

Sir, I'm sorry for your loss. To many of us have lost a loved one to cancer. Perhaps a cure will be found one day soon.

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Always Stay Strong!

Memories are bittersweet. They remind us of the good times, while leaving us remorseful. Yet despite that, as long as we have these memories, our lost loved ones remain with us. Take solace in that, and in the fact that our loved ones would never want us to get lost in our remorse.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

My condolences.
Remember the good times, look forward to life in the great beyond.
Cancer sucks.

I'm sorry for your loss.

The world has too few people like your uncle, willing to guide our youth.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Just remember that most of us didn't have such a good uncle and that makes you very fortunate.

My only uncle is bat **** crazy and weird.

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Dum vivo cano

You have every reason to be blue. God Bless.

Thanks to all for your good words.I guess you are all right to say I am lucky to have had them(Dad and JG)and I should be gratefull.
Again thanks!
Qc

I am very sorry for your loss. Those are some wonderful memories you have of your uncle. The pain in our heart that is there after someone passes serves to remind us of how much we loved them. My condolences go out to you and your family and JG's family.

Very sorry for your loss, both of my parents are gone. The hurt never stops.