I thought of you today...
And yesterday too. It's been over three years. It still hurts that I couldn't say goodbye to you. But I know, in the end, you got my message. You passed on knowing just how much you meant to me. One simple, selfless thing changed my future for the better. I would never have been able to thank you enough.
I graduated. Just last month. I did what society and statistics didn't think I could do. You're looking at the only one of moms four kids who has a college degree. I've come a long way from almost flunking out of high school. I moved in with a friend. He's a fantastic guy. Him and his girlfriend are happy to have me here. I have a job. I actually just started yesterday. It's going rather well. My manager adores me. Say's I'm her 'Super Employee'.
I've got an amazing girlfriend. We've been together almost two and half years. I wouldn't have been able to deal with your passing if her and I hadn't been friends and roommates at the time. She helped hold my head up for me.
I didn't get much of a warning. Mom called me the day before you passed. I promise, I tried every way I could think of to get a hold of you. But Uncle Jeff said you wouldn't be able to talk to me. That they hadn't even put a phone in your room. He did promise, though, that he would tell you. Tell you things I wanted to be my last goodbye to you.
I was on the bus the next day when I got the call from mom. I was just finishing up with class, headed back to my dorm. If it weren't for the friends I have made, I don't know what I would have done through that entire time frame. Not ten feet away from the bus stop, it seemed my legs couldn't carry me any further; couldn't hold me any longer.
I want you to know, mom told me something she hadn't told anyone else. And if I had known before, I would have included this in my last message. If it weren't for Larry coming into our lives, if mom had decided to come back to New York, I would have been PROUD to call you my dad. In fact, you were more of a father to me and the others than Leon ever was.
My heart hurts constantly because I never got to say a proper goodbye. But there is some relief in the fact that you did get my final message. And that you're no longer in pain. I miss you more than words could say. You're my hero. You helped me achieve my dreams. I wouldn't be who I am today without your help. Thank you, Uncle Donny. For everything.
I graduated. Just last month. I did what society and statistics didn't think I could do. You're looking at the only one of moms four kids who has a college degree. I've come a long way from almost flunking out of high school. I moved in with a friend. He's a fantastic guy. Him and his girlfriend are happy to have me here. I have a job. I actually just started yesterday. It's going rather well. My manager adores me. Say's I'm her 'Super Employee'.
I've got an amazing girlfriend. We've been together almost two and half years. I wouldn't have been able to deal with your passing if her and I hadn't been friends and roommates at the time. She helped hold my head up for me.
I didn't get much of a warning. Mom called me the day before you passed. I promise, I tried every way I could think of to get a hold of you. But Uncle Jeff said you wouldn't be able to talk to me. That they hadn't even put a phone in your room. He did promise, though, that he would tell you. Tell you things I wanted to be my last goodbye to you.
I was on the bus the next day when I got the call from mom. I was just finishing up with class, headed back to my dorm. If it weren't for the friends I have made, I don't know what I would have done through that entire time frame. Not ten feet away from the bus stop, it seemed my legs couldn't carry me any further; couldn't hold me any longer.
I want you to know, mom told me something she hadn't told anyone else. And if I had known before, I would have included this in my last message. If it weren't for Larry coming into our lives, if mom had decided to come back to New York, I would have been PROUD to call you my dad. In fact, you were more of a father to me and the others than Leon ever was.
My heart hurts constantly because I never got to say a proper goodbye. But there is some relief in the fact that you did get my final message. And that you're no longer in pain. I miss you more than words could say. You're my hero. You helped me achieve my dreams. I wouldn't be who I am today without your help. Thank you, Uncle Donny. For everything.
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