RIP
Today my uncle passed away. He was a man who stood six feet and six inches tall. He was the jack of all trades, and he was, and still is, loved by many. I met him once when I was little at a family reunion and I remember it like it was yesterday. After many years went by, he was always there in some way or another. From sending me text messages to ask about my college recruiting to commenting on my Facebook pictures to let me know how pretty I was or how proud he was. Even though he was miles and miles away, he always made sure people felt his presence.
Being in Ireland and chasing a dream or a vision or anything for that matter has caused a lot of people to miss a lot of significant events in their lives. I won’t be able to go with my dad to his brother’s funeral in a week’s time to show my respect. I won’t be able to thank my cousins for sharing such an amazing man with the rest of us, and I won’t be able to see the rest of my family and think back on all the good times we were able to share with him whether they be for just a little while or for long stretches of time.
I can sit and think about all the things I am missing out on, or I can do what I did today and reflect back on all the good things there is to think about. I can be like my uncle in so many ways. One of his greatest accomplishments was making the all decade team for his college team. I can take that spirit with me and channel it into my own games and play like the next day isn’t promised, because it isn’t. I can reach out to people whether it be through text message or Facebook or any other form of communication because you never know how your comment, post, or message might impact them. My uncle showed me that no matter how much or how often you talk to someone, you can always do a little something here and there to make on impact on them. I appreciate him for that because he always made his presence known.
One thing that connected us was basketball. It’s that universal language, and it was one of the things that got him in the door with me. It gave us something to talk about, and for that I am grateful.
There’s nothing we can do to bring back people who have gone on to be with the Lord, but we can take the good things they have taught us and apply them to our own lives. Thank you Uncle Lanky for teaching me lessons I didn’t even know you were teaching me. They are probably lessons you didn’t even know you were teaching yourself, but it’s stuck with me. I will tell my family I love them even more often than I do now. When I am thinking of someone I will send that text message, and I will continue to put others before myself.
You never know when your time will come to an end, so like my uncle Lawrence “Lanky” Wells Jr., I will make the best of the time I do have and ensure I continue to leave a lasting impact. Life is so short, but your spirit and how you make someone feel will live on forever. RIP Uncle Lanky.
