Bye For Now

A new year has rounded the corner, with grave news hard on its heels. A father's friend at kinship's dawn, a clan's family, by life's sudden dusk. In so many respects my father's twin, he could look in a mirror and see Chuck. To say 'brother' seems not strong enough, not nearly a sufficing title for the man. Growing up, he was simply an uncle, another sarcastic voice in the choir. Shipmate, soundboard, confidant, kin; fellow gamer, writer, musical connoisseur. Buddy, mentor, verbal sparring partner; hilarious, caring, intelligent, smart-ass. Always a phone call or a flight away, each of these things, to each of us or to all. Thirty years his junior - yet he asked my advice on, and I got to be present for, his first, and sadly only, tattoo. He got to meet my wife last year, for which I am beyond thankful. He sought her counsel for his next tattoo, which will now be another of hers. An easy man to like, with an easy smile and easier laugh, now a hard man to miss - but with good stories, of a greater man. And for those who knew him; be grateful for having known the dead, and hold to hope that 'bye' - is only for now.