It’s late and I’m sitting at my computer drinking Iced tea. I should be sleeping because I have to work early tomorrow but I can’t sleep. I’m just sitting here thinking, thinking about my past and about the people of my past. I think about my grandfather who never seemed to call me by my name and even today I still have doubts that he even knew what it was. I think about how as kids we found a $100 bill in one my aunt’s jackets and how we decided to walk to the store and buy so much candy that if had eaten it all on that date we would sill be suffering from bad stomach aches, but tonight mostly I think about my Uncle Roy. It’s funny because up until this moment I didn’t realize just how much I looked up to my Uncle Roy, not did I realize the influence he has had on my life. As I think on the past I remember how he never used to wear socks. I know that’s a funny thing to remember about someone, but my Uncle Roy was a funny guy. I guess this is the first thing I remember about his is because obviously he never wore socks, but the funny thing is that every time someone asked him why he didn’t wear socks he would answer with, “I can’t wear socks and underwear at the time so if I’m wearing socks that means I’m not wearing underwear.” I used to think that was so funny - as a matter of fact, I hardly ever wear socks myself and when people ask me why I don’t wear them, I answer the same way my uncle used to “I can’t wear socks and underwear at the same time so if I’m wearing socks that means I’m not wearing underwear.”

I’m sure that makes my mom proud to hear.

Anyway, when I think of my Uncle Roy one the first and most vivid images that comes to mind is of him sitting with the family around him as he plays guitar and leads everyone in gospel songs. My grandfather was a preacher in the bible belt so religion was always important as I grew up. I have to admit that at times some of his fire and brimstone sermons were a bit scary especially when I was a kid, but the thing I did love was when we got together and sang the church songs and my Uncle Roy was always up there leading everyone, playing the guitar, and singing louder than everyone else.

As a kid, I remember watching him as he interacted with other people. He was so good with people. He could make the strangest stranger feel like he was part of the family. I used to think, “when I grow up I want to be able to do that.” Well, I’m grown up and still can’t do that. I guess it’s one of his gifts. I don’t think my Uncle Roy really knows how I feel about him because I’ve never told him and I doubt that he ever realized that I used to look up to him.

We have a family reunion next month, that’s part of the reason why I haven’t written much - I’m supposed to be the one planning it because it’s here in Vegas - My Uncle Roy is supposed to be here even after he had a health scare recently and many feared for him. He pulled through his crisis and I have no doubt that the strength of his family and friend’s faith and prayers had a lot to do with his speedy and miraculous recovery. Maybe during the reunion I’ll let him know - one sockless guy to another, but the truth is that I probably won’t even mention it to him. Maybe he’ll just read this one day and know, or maybe, somehow he already knows.