My family had a difficult week last week. We unexpectedly lost my favorite uncle to a massive stroke. He was only 57. In the Native American culture a funeral is much different than in the Caucasian culture. We had a lot to do last week – planning the funeral, shopping for giveaway items that are held after the funeral, buying burial clothing for my Uncle, eating a nightly meal with the rest of the reservation for three nights, holding a small ceremony at the funeral home for only close family, having a multi-denominational prayer service, then having the actual funeral and burial. It was hard – I haven’t cried so much in a long time.
My Uncle and I were close my entire life. Growing up on a reservation where your uncles and aunts all live within one mile of you is a great experience. He came over often and we shared family meals regularly. Every time I saw my uncle he told me he loved me. Every time. Sometimes he’d say, “Have I told you lately that I love you?”, and then he’d kiss my cheek.
That is my uncle’s gift to me. To tell the people in your life that you love them seems simple but we all need to be reminded to consistently do it.
Rest in peace, Marvin. Until we meet again…
So sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Thank you Nena. I appreciate that.
My deepest condolences.
Thank you, Freda. I appreciate that. It is always hard to lose a loved one. Leaning on family and God and keeping the faith through it all though.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you can find peace and comfort.
Thank you. Leaning on family and faith in this one. Still so sad to think he’s gone…
So sorry, LaVonne. He was a great man and it’s so comforting knowing that you’ll see haim again one day! One thing that I really love about your culture is how close you all are…growing up near all of your family is something I can barely imagine. Love and prayers for all of you.
Thank you, Melanie. Still hard to believe that he’s gone. But I am thankful for my family. We had a great Easter. Bittersweet without him there though.
Good morning LaVonne, I am very sorry to hear about your Uncle Marvin. My Mother passed away of a massive heart attack Labor Day weekend of 1995. It was a Saturday morning when the local police officer came banging on my door to tell me to call home because someone had passed away. We had just moved into the house and did not have the phone hooked up yet. Myself & my brother walked over to the local gas station to call home and got the news that she was gone. The whole day I felt like everything was moving at slow motion speed. I also cried for months afterwards, and lost a lot of weight too. What was even harder about the situation was that my Father died two and a half months later, two days before Thanksgiving. It was a few months before I knew that they really just wanted me to go on and enjoy the rest of my life. To be happy and that they will see me again someday when it was my time to go home. I’m sure your Uncle was a great man and will be missed dearly.
Thank you June, for your words of encouragement and sharing your personal story. It is hard. I also lost my grandmother (who I was very close to) and I cannot imagine losing a parent. I don’t even want to consider it. But I know one day it will happen too. Death is difficult. I am thankful for the faith that I have that I will see them again. I am sorry for your loss as well. To find out at a gas station pay phone is hard indeed!