Sweet Memory

(my uncle Del was saying something

in this picture about Archer getting

the Cockrell hairline:-)

My Uncle Del and Archer, April 2008.

updated at 4am 7/9 to add:

My mom just called

from the hospital

in Oklahoma -

my gem of an uncle -

my Uncle Del -

passed away at 3:03am, 7/9/11,

surrounded

by family.

He had a

massive stroke late Thursday

night, and passed away

a short time ago.

I have so, so many {precious} memories

of this man. I can't even count the

number of hugs, of smiles, and

words of encouragement I've received

from him in my lifetime.

He was my Dad's brother,

and his best friend.

In the (almost) 8 years

that Dad's been gone,

I've reached out to Uncle Del

with successes and failures,

ups and downs,

and he was always happy

to fill that role.

He was funny,

loving,

and strong.

I can't count the number of times

he said in that deep

broadcasting voice of his,

"Now kiddo, if you need anything -

anything at all, just let me know."

And he meant it.

One of the things I'll miss most

about him is his voice,

although I'm sure there

are 1000s of hours of his

voice recorded.

He was a

radio guy

and started

American Broadcasting School

on a scratched up card

table with 2 students,

and through much hard

work and talent

turned it into a huge success.

When I was young, he was also

the voice of the State Fair of Oklahoma,

such a fun thing to walk through

the fair and hear his voice booming

over the speakers, and say with a

proud smile, "that's my Uncle Del!"

He used to let me come into the offices

and give me lots of free tickets for rides and games

and coloring books too.

My Dad and Uncle Del

were my fishing

buddies.

Many hours were spent at

the Blue River (and elsewhere)

in Oklahoma,

me always afraid to put

the worm on the hook,

and my Dad and Uncle Del

always happy to help.

One of my favorite

memories of him is from

almost a year ago.

He and my Uncle Mel

came to visit along

with Aunt Jan and Aunt Pat.

They came to see Archer

and meet our sweet Elle - she

was just a couple of days shy

of her first birthday when

they met.

Elleana's middle name, Delynn,

is after my Uncle Del

(the Lynn is after my Dad

and sister's middle name).

I think he was pretty proud of that. His voice rings

in my ear, come here Elleana Delynn, come see

your Uncle Del. Not one time that he said

her name, did he leave out her middle name.

I'm very grateful that he got to meet her, and

that I got to hug his neck a year ago.

I miss him already.

Grief is always hard.

I'm very grateful for the precious memories

that can carry us through this journey.