Who is that guy?

I knew this day would come. Really. I did. I have prepared myself for it and thought about what I would say, and how I would answer some really hard questions. I just thought that when this came up, it would be Andy asking the major question...not Justin.

I am in the process of sewing the signatures on my mom's blanket now, and want to make sure that everyone is on there. I dont want to leave ANYONE out. So, since my brother obviously cant be here to sign his name for her, I put a picture of him from up-north on the blanket, with the words "Your Guardian Angel" across the top of the picture. He still needs to be on there...it will mean a lot to my mom. So, yesterday as I am showing my Grandma the progress I have made, Justin looks at the blanket and then stares at the picture of Danny. He looks at me and says it. "Who is that guy, Mommy?"

I get ready to say some of the things I have thought about... and I look into Justin's eyes and for the first time, really see what a great uncle he is missing out on. That is when it hit me that he really doesnt know this awesome guy.

That is mommy's brother. That is your uncle. That is someone who would have taught you lots of things. Some mommy would have liked, some...not so much. That is your uncle....he would have brought you up-north all the time. He would have let you have can of pop after can of pop...He would have brought you fishing on the dock- and when youre old enough, he would have brought you out in the boat. He would have taught you how to look through the scope of a gun and aim, so he could bring you pheasant and deer hunting some day- and have some of that male bonding that you boys have. He would have been the uncle that let you have anything, and if I said no, he would have given to you when I wasnt looking. He is the uncle who would have shown you how to stick up for people, but still mange to be a quiet and sweet teddy bear kind of guy. He would have wresteled with you and made you feel like you really were kicking some butt...just like he let me do when I was little- and somehow manage to never get hurt. He would have played catch with you...whether it was a football or a baseball...he would have fun watching you learn to do this. That is your uncle...the reason Mommy is such a paranoid wreck when you get in the car with anyone when I am not with. He is the reason that I dread the day you get your drivers license. He is the reason that mommy wants to be a neurotic overprotective freak and never let you go anywehere by yourself. He is the reason mommy cries when certain songs come on the radio. Yep...he is your unle. The uncle that is missing from your life...but the uncle that you SO deserve to have. That is one of the best relationships you would have ever had in your whole life...and you are getting screwed out of never knowing him... and I am so sorry for that!!

All I really manage to say is... "Thats Danny." Justin says, "Who is DANNY?" Choking back every emotion that I have, I tell him that I will tell him some other day. Thankfully, for now, he is satisified with this answer, and goes back to driving trains on the top of the couch.